The Wordspotter's Guide

Etymological Adventures Through the English Language

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The Wordspotter's Guide

By: Olivia Swarthout

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Olivia Swarthout, creator of the viral sensation Weird Medieval Guys, turns her idiosyncratic and humorous eye to the fascinating roots of the English language. Here, she introduces readers to wordspotting, a hobby for those who love words and their peculiarities, origins and histories.

From the seemingly modern 'unfriend' - which dates back to the seventeenth century to the revelation that the leotard was named after its inventor Jules Léotard, The Wordspotter's Guide brims with fascinating linguistic tidbits alongside advice and techniques for detecting the bizarre and unlikely commonalities between words and their meanings.

An invitation to pay better attention to words and their stories, this etymological romp will bring out the wordspotter in everyone.©2026 Olivia Swarthout (P)2026 Profile Books Limited

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