Dictionary is still the best source on words

Hi guys — I’m trying to find a book on word origins as a Christmas present, and I know you folks must use them to answer questions. Of all the ones you use, which is the best?

— Jac N.

Gee, thanks Jac. You mean it shows? Actually, we just make that stuff up.

But no. The best single source is still a good unabridged dictionary. Say you’re doing the daily crossword and you come upon that old standard, a four-letter word for a needle case, and you work it out as "etui." Interesting word.

A glance at your dictionary tells you the word came from the French, from the Old French estui, a container, from estuier, to shut up, probably from vulgar Latin estudiare, to take care of, from the Latin studium, which means it has the same root as study and student.

Once you invest in a good dictionary, there are many, many books on word origins and etymology ranging from scholarly to humorous.

Two of our favorites are "The Morris Dictionary of Words and Phrase Origins," by William and Mary Morris and "A History of English in its Own Words," by Craig M. Carver, both originally from HarperCollins.

It’s the old story. There’s no one "best." These two are very different, but each makes its points with erudition and wit.

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