Words in time and place, hardcover/david crystal

A tour through the origin and evolution of the English language in 15 themes: dying, nose, drunk, meal, privy, fool, prostitute, money, weather, old person, spacecraft, words of endearment, oaths and types of pop music.

Each chapter takes the reader through the timeline of words for the topic, with witty commentary and anecdotes along the way, from this foremost author and expert on the English language.