{"title":"Jess Zafarris","description":"Jess Zafarris is the author of the etymology books Words From Hell (Chambers, 2023) and Once Upon a Word (Rockridge Press 2020). Jess is an educational content creator and blogger who focuses on etymology and word-history-focused deep dives and explanations on her TikTok channel @jesszafarris and website uselessetymology.com. She also co-hosts the Words Unravelled podcast.","products":[{"product_id":"once-upon-a-word-a-word-origin-dictionary-for-kids-building-vocabulary-through-etymology-definitions-stories-paperback","title":"Once Upon a Word: A Word-Origin Dictionary for Kids--Building Vocabulary Through Etymology, Definitions \u0026 Stories - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhere do words come from?--Teaching kids ages 9 to 12 vocabulary through word origins\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe English language is made up of words from different places, events, and periods of time. Each of those words has an exciting story to tell us about where, when, how, and why they came about. \u003ci\u003eOnce Upon a Word\u003c\/i\u003e is packed with easy-to-understand definitions and awesome word origin stories. With this dictionary for kids, you can understand the history and meaning of English words, improve your vocabulary and spelling, and learn to play with language.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eExplore how weird words like \u003ci\u003egnome\u003c\/i\u003e, fun words like \u003ci\u003ezombie\u003c\/i\u003e, and common words like \u003ci\u003ecaterpillar\u003c\/i\u003e came to exist. Discover why some words sound funnier than others (like \u003ci\u003ecackle\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003esizzle\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003etwang\u003c\/i\u003e) and why some groups of words start with the same few letters (like \u003ci\u003ehydrate\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003ehydrogen\u003c\/i\u003e, and fire \u003ci\u003ehydrant\u003c\/i\u003e). In this dictionary for kids, there's a whole world of English words to uncover!\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis unique dictionary for kids includes: \u003c\/p\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eRoots \u0026amp; branches\u003c\/b\u003e--Learn about the building blocks that make up words, called \u003ci\u003eroots\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eprefixes\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003esuffixes\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eKid-friendly definitions\u003c\/b\u003e--Look up definitions designed for your reading level in this dictionary for kids.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWord tidbits\u003c\/b\u003e--Find out where your favorite food words got their start, from \u003ci\u003ebacon\u003c\/i\u003e to \u003ci\u003emarshmallow\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003espaghetti\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eyogurt\u003c\/i\u003e, and beyond.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003eSee how the English language evolved with this colorful dictionary for kids.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51375700836575,"sku":"9781646112593","price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0813\/8958\/4607\/files\/V0zN-O9Eir9781646112593.webp?v=1789207268"},{"product_id":"useless-etymology-offbeat-word-origins-for-curious-minds-hardcover","title":"Useless Etymology: Offbeat Word Origins for Curious Minds - Hardcover","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eDid you know that an \"astronaut\" is literally a \"star sailor,\" that a thesaurus is, in fact, a \"treasure\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003ci\u003etrove\" of words, and that someone who is \"sinister\" is actually just \"left-handed\"?\u003c\/i\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ci\u003eHave you ever wondered why English isn't considered a Romance language if 60% of our\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003ci\u003ewords are Latin-derived?\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ci\u003eDid Shakespeare really invent 1,700 words, and if not, why the heck do we say that he did?\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ci\u003eWhy is the English language stuffed with so many synonyms?\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Let's be real: English can seem pretty bonkers. And, well, sometimes it is. But through thorough thought and a pinch of curiosity, method can be found within the madness of our modern tongue-even within the disparate pronunciation of the words \"through,\" \"thorough,\" and \"thought.\" \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Derived from Germanic, Romance, Hellenic, Semitic, African and Native American languages, English contains multitudes. It has been (and continues to be) transformed by war and conquest, art and literature, science and technology, love and hate, wit and whim. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ci\u003eUseless Etymology\u003c\/i\u003e takes readers on a time-traveling adventure to unlock the beauty, wonder, and absurdity within our everyday words, how they came to be, and the unexpected ways their origins weave a global, cross-cultural labyrinth of meaning. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Filled with fun facts and delightful discoveries, this is an enlightening read for anyone who wants to know more about why the English language works the way that it does.","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51376606576863,"sku":"9781399809184","price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0813\/8958\/4607\/files\/b4RuIsgDDY9781399809184.webp?v=1789218143"},{"product_id":"words-from-hell-unearthing-the-darkest-secrets-of-english-etymology-paperback","title":"Words from Hell: Unearthing the Darkest Secrets of English Etymology - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe English language is where words go to be tortured and mutilated into unrecognizable shadows of their former selves. It's where Latin, Greek, and Germanic roots are shredded apart and stitched unceremoniously back together with misunderstood snippets of languages snatched from the wreckage of conquest and colonialism. It wreaks merciless havoc upon grammar and spelling. It turns clinical terms into insults and children's tales into filthy euphemisms. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e With an emphasis on understanding where the foulest words in the English language came from-and the disgusting and hilarious histories behind them-this book demonstrates the true filth of our everyday words. But this book is more than just a list of vulgar words and salacious slang. It's a thoughtful analysis of why we deem words as being inappropriate as well as revealing 'good words' that have surprisingly naughty origins. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Dirty-minded word nerds and lewd linguistics lovers will derive unadulterated pleasure in leering at the origins of swear words, sexual lingo, inappropriate idioms, violent vocabulary, and terminology for bodily functions-not to mention the unexpectedly foul origins of words you thought were perfectly innocent. If it's inappropriate, stomach-churning, uncomfortable, or offensive, this book reaches into the dark recesses of history and exposes them for all to see. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e True to the Chambers brand, this book combines humor, scholarly research and a beautiful design. It is a book to enjoy, collect and revisit time and time again.","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51376624238815,"sku":"9781399808217","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0813\/8958\/4607\/files\/yizg6jd1ip9781399808217.webp?v=1789218190"}],"url":"https:\/\/blackandbarhe.com\/collections\/jess-zafarris.oembed","provider":"Black \u0026 Barhe Bookstore","version":"1.0","type":"link"}