Angels, Barbarians, and Nincompoops

And a Lot of Other Words You Thought You Knew

It's hard not to love this book, which introduces a diverse cast of characters ranging from C.S. Lewis and Emily Dickinson to Lily Munster and the Great Pumpkin to explain the historical, humorous, and even sacred origins of words most of us use without even knowing what they literally mean or where they come from. In this engaging discussion of the roots of everyday English, Anthony Esolen introduces readers to a linguistic heritage whose origins are now largely forgotten.  Join Professor Esolen in a fun, educational, and often downright hilarious romp through 98 of your soon-to-be favorite words.

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