Changes

But like I say, this author knows her ''bulbs'' – sorry, onions. For those who revel in where ''Muzak'' came from, or how goldfish and soldiers both live in ''tanks'', or the different meanings of ''tablet'' through ages, this will go down with no sugaring. Most of the words are common (''nutraceutical'' aside, perhaps), and whether they're portmanteau words, bastard hybrids of both Greek and Latin (as television was once famously declared to be), or something related to a modern idea you have no interest in (tweeting, in my case) the book will please. I just was left thinking a second edition (with my ''browser'' included) will be taken to get it right. In ending with the source of colour associations – yellow as cowardly, for instance – Taggart has red flags as Communist and revolutionary, which is a westernised idea nowhere near the reason so many Islamic countries have red flags. This book taught me a lot, but it might be back to school for a revision before it's perfect.

Having proven that our language is evolving, it's time to check on what's endangered about it – try [[The Horologicon: A Day's Jaunt Through the Lost Words of the English Language by Mark Forsyth]].