A Garden of WordsTimes Books, 1992 - 188 pages For language mavens, a lively exploration of the origins and development of 24 flower names, from aster to zinnia. Barnette weaves together the diverse elements that, over the centuries, have formed each word's colorful etymological history. Elegantly designed and illustrated throughout--a charming gift for language buffs and armchair gardeners. |
From inside the book
Results 1-3 of 18
Page 43
... someone " purpling " her nail by smashing a flea . ) Puce was for a time a most fashionable color at the French court . The OED cites a 1776 publication in which a writer mentions a " new - fashioned flea- colored coat " and a 1794 work ...
... someone " purpling " her nail by smashing a flea . ) Puce was for a time a most fashionable color at the French court . The OED cites a 1776 publication in which a writer mentions a " new - fashioned flea- colored coat " and a 1794 work ...
Page 63
... salad . A folk tradition persists in both countries that someone who picks a dandelion will wet the bed that night . As long as we're here , a brief survey of French lit DANDELION 63 A GARDEN OF WORDS ... -the " bed , "
... salad . A folk tradition persists in both countries that someone who picks a dandelion will wet the bed that night . As long as we're here , a brief survey of French lit DANDELION 63 A GARDEN OF WORDS ... -the " bed , "
Page 74
... someone who strikes at a religious icon ( from Greek eikōn , " image " ) . When iconoclastic ideas are too threatening , some people and governments become biblioclasts , or " destroyers or mutilators of books . " A more productive kind ...
... someone who strikes at a religious icon ( from Greek eikōn , " image " ) . When iconoclastic ideas are too threatening , some people and governments become biblioclasts , or " destroyers or mutilators of books . " A more productive kind ...
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Common terms and phrases
Akoniti Amaryllis ancient Greek ancient Greek word Anthurium applied aster bird blossom borrowed botanical color columbine comes from Latin crane daisy dandelion denotes derives descendant Dutch English term English word etymological eventually EXORDIUM flea flower name foot form the name French word GARDEN OF WORDS gave rise genus geranium German word gladiolus glish goddess gray Greek myth Hyacinth HYDRANGEA idea Indo-European root inspired the name iris Italian known languages Latin lupus Latin word lily literally means loanword loosestrife loup Lupercalia lupine lussa miterwort modern English nasturtium nicknames nose offspring Old English Old French orchid origin palindrome pansy pearl phrase plant Pliny the Elder poppy Professor Latkovski refers reflected resemble Russian S)PEN Sadako Sasaki Sanskrit scholars shines Similarly someone source of English Spanish star Star jelly stem sword synonym tail testicle thought tulip wolf word for rose Zephyrus