An Armchair Adventure for Word Lovers. Written in a witty, conversational style, Webster's New Explorer Dictionary of Word Origins describes how some common and not-so-common words entered the English language and how their meanings evolved. Some, like "icicle" and wiseacre", came to us from other languages and have been transformed to create new words. Others, like "workaholic," were coined only recently. The histories of these words are among many fascinating stories of how language is shaped by people and events. An invaluable resource for students and amateur etymologists alike, this volume provides both useful information and entertaining reading. More than 1,500 articles discuss the compelling histories of both unusual and commonplace words. A brief history of the English language. Alphabetical organization for easy browsing. Cross-references direct readers to additional information.