Alexander Tulloch

Did you know that marmalade, pirate, sketch and purse trace their linguistic origins back to the Athens of 500 BCE? It's All Greek offers a word-by-word look at the influence of Greek on everyday words in English, telling the stories behind their etymological developments. Most of us are aware that words such as geometry, mathematics, phobia, and hypochondria derive from...

Highly original and enjoyable examination of the etymology behind a selection of trades and professions, unearthing intriguing nuggets of historical information along the way. Includes explanations of common surnames; obsolete jobs such as pardoner or telegraph boy; and roles for the modern era, such as wedding planner and sky marshal. What did a gongfarmer do? How is a chaperone connected...