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Every Word Tells a Story

By: Tom Read Wilson
Narrated by: Tom Read Wilson
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Summary

Tom Read Wilson is here to take us on a rip-roaring tour through some of the most astonishing and amusing words in the English language with Every Word Tells a Story.

See how the English language evolved in this extraordinary exploration of the origins of everyday words. Full of funny stories and fascinating facts, Tom Read Wilson knows even the most ordinary-sounding word can have the most surprising story behind it!

Did you know, for instance, that:

  • The word "bloomers" comes from Amelia Bloomer, who was a women's rights activist and owner and editor of the first U.S. newspaper edited by and for women, who wanted to move more freely in her knickers?
  • Or that the word "daisy" comes from the Old English dæges eage, meaning "day’s eye", because the petals of a daisy open at dawn and close at dusk?
  • The word "easel" comes from the Dutch word "ezel", meaning donkey, because both are dependable and suitable for carrying a load?
  • Or that English nicknames for police officers, "bobbies" and "peelers", both come from the names of Sir Robert Peel, British prime minister in the 1800s and creator of the first modern police force?

Each fascinating word is explored through a quirky, amusing story alongside the etymology, word origin and definition.

Every Word Tells a Story is a perfect book for young wordsmiths, encouraging kids and adults alike to have fun whilst learning about language.

©2022 Tom Read Wilson (P)2022 words & pictures
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Good but a busy listen

I love this author’s voice and while on TV he can be well paced and soothing to listen to. I loved the audiobook content but found it extremely fast paced. It was a challenge to take in due to the speed. It wizzed about for one topic to another way too quickly

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