Publisher's Synopsis
Understanding English Homonyms Their Origins and Usage explores the phenomenon of homonyms in English by analysing a selection of those with the most interesting histories. This book not only illustrates how homonyms are used in various contexts but also provides etymological explanations of how they came to be such a prominent feature of the language. The introduction offers the reader a brief summary of the social, historical, and linguistic influences that contributed to the evolution of this phenomenon in modern English. A glossary of the linguistic terms referred to in the text is also included. With very few books currently available on the historical origins of English homonyms, this volume should prove popular among students of the language and its history. It will also appeal to anyone who is fascinated by etymology in general.
