Spanish Word Histories and Mysteries: English Words That Come from Spanish

Most people know that words like burrito and quesadilla come from Spanish, but there are many more English words that we would never suspect are Spanish until we look closely. Did you know that the words breeze and hammock come from Spanish? The jerky in beef jerky, for example, is from Spanish charquí, and the English verb vamoose is from the expression ?Vamos! which means Let's go! in Spanish.
Spanish Word Histories and Mysteries: English Words that Come from Spanish tells the fascinating stories behind 200 English words from Spanish. Every sphere of English vocabulary has been enriched by Spanish, from names for animals--alligator, coyote, and mosquito--to words for weather--hurricane and tornado. This book also explores the Spanish origin of some of the colorful expressions of the Old West: bonanza, loco, mustang, ranch, and ten-gallon hat. Of course, the book digs into the many words for different foods that come from Spanish--not only the obvious ones, such as salsa and taco, but also potato, tomato, caramel, vanilla, and, most important, chocolate. Photographs and line drawings enliven the pages and illustrate the history of the words.

Author: Editors of the American Heritage Di
Publisher: Collins Reference
Published: 11/14/2007
Pages: 240
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.68lbs
Size: 8.22h x 5.76w x 0.56d
ISBN: 9780618910540

Review Citation(s):
Booklist 08/01/2007 pg. 114
Booklist 04/01/2008 pg. 100

About the Author
American Heritage Dictionaries, Editors Of the: -

THE EDITORS OF THE AMERICAN HERITAGE DICTIONARIES are a team of professional lexicographers with advanced degrees in various scholarly fields. The editors familiarize themselves with the vocabulary in specific subject areas, collect materials on new developments and usage, and work with expert consultants to ensure that their publications are accurate and up-to-date.

Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries: -

THE EDITORS OF THE AMERICAN HERITAGE DICTIONARIES are a team of professional lexicographers with advanced degrees in various scholarly fields. The editors familiarize themselves with the vocabulary in specific subject areas, collect materials on new developments and usage, and work with expert consultants to ensure that their publications are accurate and up-to-date.

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