The Secret Lives of Words
by West, Paul
- Used
- first
- Condition
- Fine in fine dust jacket, in mylar cover.
- Seller
-
Denver, Colorado, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
Synopsis
We are often unaware of the unique and intriguing stories of the words we love. Thousands of our words have been so twisted, tangled, misused, and muddled over the centuries that their original meaning has been obscured. You'll be surprised to learn that table napkins were once made of and referred to as asbestos, that atom means uncuttable, that a cloud was once a hill, and that a companion is one who eats bread with you. Compiled over the years in his handwritten notebooks, acclaimed prose stylist Paul West offers us an album of treasures. The Secret Lives of Words is an "Antiques Road Show" of language, in which West chronicles the centuries-long travels of words across continents and through cultures. For word enthusiasts, speakers, writers, thinkers, and all readers, this volume recounting the intimate ancestry of language will enrich our understanding of and appreciation for the words we use every day.
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Details
- Bookseller
- The Hermitage Bookshop (US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 215431
- Title
- The Secret Lives of Words
- Author
- West, Paul
- Book Condition
- Used - Fine in fine dust jacket, in mylar cover.
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Edition
- First edition, first printing
- Publisher
- Harcourt, Inc.
- Date Published
- 2000
Terms of Sale
The Hermitage Bookshop
All books returnable for any reason within ten days of receipt. Shipping on all heavy or oversize books will be quoted upon inquiry. We do not ship surface overseas.
About the Seller
The Hermitage Bookshop
About The Hermitage Bookshop
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- First Edition
- In book collecting, the first edition is the earliest published form of a book. A book may have more than one first edition in...
- Jacket
- Sometimes used as another term for dust jacket, a protective and often decorative wrapper, usually made of paper which wraps...
- Fine
- A book in fine condition exhibits no flaws. A fine condition book closely approaches As New condition, but may lack the...