Alphabet Juice

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Ali G: How many words does you know? Noam Chomsky: Normally, humans, by maturity, have tens of thousands of them. Ali G: What is some of 'em? -Da Ali G Show. Did you know that both mammal and matter come from baby talk? Have you noticed how wince makes you wince? Ever wonder why so many h-words relate to breath? Roy Blount Jr. has pondered these questions throughout his forty-year career using words in various media. In his exploration, he celebrates the energy of letters and their combinations. Blount does not prescribe proper English; instead, he embraces a more accessible approach. Three and a half centuries ago, Thomas Blount created the first dictionary to explore English word derivations. This modern take expands on that pursuit, examining everything from Proto-Indo-European roots to the intricacies of the human mouth. It challenges the idea that the connection between words and meanings is arbitrary, revealing that even the term arbitrary is not as random as it seems. Drawing from sources like the OED and Urbandictionary.com, along with his own experiences, Blount offers a lively and unique perspective on language that is both organic and entertaining.