Prologue: Understanding etymology
Part 1. The oddities of English etymology: where words started and where they are now
Part 2. Twists and turns: surprise and delight in the origins of everyday words
Part 3. Whimsy and wonder: humor, play, and passion through enchanting etymology
Epilogue: Goodbyes and whys.
Prologue: Understanding etymology
Part 1. The oddities of English etymology: where words started and where they are now
The power of perspective: apparent anachronisms
Words across time: old, middle, modern
Logic and illogic: why English makes more
Too good to be true: debunking etymology myths
Folk etymology: when assumptions change words and meanings
Systems of the wordatorium: etymological phenomena you might not have noticed
Part 2. Twists and turns: surprise and delight in the origins of everyday words
One word to another: words that went on journeys of meaning
What's in a name? Eponymous etymology
Hit the books: the origins of literacy and rhetorical terms
Press pass: the origins of writing, printing, and type terms
Animalogical: critters hiding in other words
Edible words: terms you can snack on
Some word over the rainbow: how colorful language colors our perceptions
Terminological: sciences and -ological words
Out of this word: words from space
Temporal etymology: behind the names of the seasons and months
Part 3. Whimsy and wonder: humor, play, and passion through enchanting etymology
When words (and their origins) get silly
Games you can play with your words
Word gaffes: when words trip us up
Offbeat origins for word enthusiasts: the origins of your favorite words
Antiquated words you didn't know you needed
Extralongitudinal linguistfabulations: the longest words you never knew
Epilogue: Goodbyes and whys
