Author(s): Anu Garg

Lexical

From the creator of the popular A.Word.A.Day e-mail newsletter A collection of some of the most interesting stories and fascinating origins behind more than 300 words, names, and terms by the founder of WordSmith.org. Did you know: Theres a word for the pleasant smell that accompanies the first rain after a dry spell? "Petrichor," combining "petros" (Greek for "stone") and "ichor" (the fluid that flows in the veins of Greek gods). An "illeist" is one who refers to oneself in the third person. Theres a word for feigning lack of interest in something while actually desiring it: "accismus," For any aspiring "deipnosophist" (a good conversationalist at meals) or devoted "Philomath" (a lover of learning), this anthology of entertaining etymology is an ideal way to have fun while getting smarter.