The Story of English in 100 Words, David Crystal
The Story of English in 100 Words, David Crystal
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The Story of English in 100 Words

Author: David Crystal

Narrator: David Crystal

Unabridged: 7 hr 56 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 09/01/2012

Synopsis

In this unique new history of the world’s most ubiquitous language, linguistics expert David Crystal draws on words that best illustrate the huge variety of sources, influences, and events that have helped to shape our vernacular since the first definitively English word was written down in the fifth century (“roe,” in case you are wondering). Featuring Latinate and Celtic words, weasel words and nonce-words, ancient words (“loaf”) to cutting-edge words (“twittersphere”), and spanning the indispensable words that shape our tongue (“and,” “what”) to the more fanciful (“fopdoodle”), Crystal takes us along the winding byways of language via the rude, the obscure, and the downright surprising.

About David Crystal

David Crystal is Honorary Professor of Linguistics at the University of Wales, Bangor. In 1995 he was awarded the Order of the British Empire for services to the English language. He lives in the United Kingdom.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Paul on September 20, 2015

I thought- hello, let's use the 100 words to review this wee book, sort of like the well-known sentence “the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog” which uses all the letters in the alphabet. It seemed mega doable, it could be so cute, but it very quickly it became a royal pain in the arse. I dill......more

Goodreads review by Katie on January 25, 2023

A really interesting read for anyone curious about etymology and linguistics.......more

Goodreads review by Cindy on December 21, 2023

A lovely and interesting look at 100 words and all the words around them.......more

Goodreads review by Bibliovoracious on September 21, 2019

I generally don't like list books - there's no through path to entertain, but this one was pretty great, because it was organized historically, so there was a subtle development through-line. And funny. I was suspicious though; I didn't have as much confidence as I should that a "foremost scholar of......more

Quotes

“Crystal’s enthusiasm for—and wealth of knowledge about—the ever-evolving English language makes this a must-read for word lovers.” Publishers Weekly

“A delight you shouldn’t miss…Ideal for the commute or a daily round, Crystal’s one hundred brisk chapters are uniquely suited for audiobook consumption, rich in pith and humor, and a total treat.” AudioFile

“Throughout, Crystal highlights the playfulness of English and its refusal to take itself too seriously. Snack-sized chapters with banquet-sized satisfaction.” Kirkus Reviews

Awards

  • AudioFile Earphones Award
  • Kirkus Reviews “New and Notable Title”
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