This is a great little book. You might think it a bit extravagant to buy for yourself, although we should all treat ourselves occasionally... Alternatively, it would make a perfect present for that wordsmith friend of yours -- and you can always ask to borrow it.
For more English etymological fun, try [[The Story of Of English in In 100 Words by David Crystal]]. Or for more from the same author, this time taking a quirky approach to science, have a look at [[When the Earth Was Flat by Graeme Donald]].
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