Directory of Etymology Resources

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Etymology is the study of the origin of words.

Subcategories

• Surnames

Resources in This Category

• A Comparative Dictionary of Indo-Aryan Languages

  http://dsal.uchicago.edu/dictionaries/soas/
  Online version of the indexes of R.L. Turner's 1962-1985 dictionary from the Digital Dictionaries of South Asia.

• Altaic Etymology

  http://starling.rinet.ru/cgi-bin/startq.cgi?flags=eygtnnl&root=config&basename=%5Cdata%5Calt%5Caltet
  Online database version of the Altaic Etymological Dictionary by S. Starostin, A. Dybo and O. Mudrak.

• American Dialect Society

  http://www.americandialect.org/
  A scholarly association dedicated to the study of the English language in North America.

• Clichés and Expressions Origins

  http://www.businessballs.com/clichesorigins.htm
  English language terms and expressions.

• Dave Wilton's Etymology Page

  http://www.wordorigins.org/
  Devoted to etymology of common words and slang phrases.

• Etymologically Speaking

  http://www.westegg.com/etymology/
  A list of some curious word origins.

• Etymology

  http://itsmagic.tripod.com/ETYMOLGY.HTML
  Word origins and links.

• Exploring English Words

  http://www.wordexplorations.info/
  Exploring English words that are derived from Latin and Greek sources with etymologies and vocabulary activities.

• languagehat.com

  http://www.languagehat.com/
  Erudite blog on word origins and definitions, with dozens of links to dictionaries, commentaries, linguistic reference sites, and personal favorites of the author.

• MooT

  http://www.mootgame.com/
  The game of grammar, semantics, and etymology. Play online the game that investigates the history and meaning of English words.

• Online Etymology Dictionary

  http://www.etymonline.com/
  History and evolution of more than 30,000 words, including slang and technical terms.

• PrefixSuffix.com

  http://www.prefixsuffix.com/
  A reference for Greek, Latin, and other roots of the English language to help you better understand English, improve your vocabulary, score better on tests, and create new words such as for brand names. Also has free online vocabulary games.

• Richard Lederer's Verbivore

  http://www.verbivore.com/
  Linguistic fun from, Richard Lederer, the best-selling author of The Word Circus and the new Sleeping Dogs Don't Lay, a helpful guide for grappling with vexing grammar questions.

• Sayings and Everyday Expressions

  http://users.tinyonline.co.uk/gswithenbank/sayindex.htm
  Your online source for the sayings and expressions you use everyday. Search for their meaning, history and origin, find sayings, expressions, phrases, quotations, cliches, unusual words, and wordplay.

• Take Our Word for It

  http://www.takeourword.com/
  Weekly etymology magazine.

• The Phrase Finder

  http://www.phrases.org.uk/
  The meanings and origins of thousands of English phrases and sayings. Also includes a discussion forum to ask a panel questions on the meaning and origin of phrases.

• The Word Detective

  http://www.word-detective.com/
  Words and language in a humorous vein. The online version of The Word Detective, a newspaper column answering readers' questions about words and language. Written by Evan Morris.

• Word and Phrase Origins

  http://www.ipl.org/div/pf/entry/48468
  Directory. Part of the Internet Public Library. Describes books and web sites that might be helpful. Offers a hint on how to use an ordinary search engine when looking for etymology.

• Word Quests for Word Seekers

  http://www.wordquests.info/
  Searchable dictionary of word origins, organized in cross-referenced thematic lists by Latin and/or Greek roots. English entries are also defined.

• Word Spy

  http://www.wordspy.com/
  Collection of recently coined words, existing words that have enjoyed a recent Renaissance, and older words that are now being used in new ways.

• Words with Heathen Origins in the Scriptures

  http://www.innvista.com/culture/religion/bible/compare/words-with-heathen-origins-in-the-scriptures/
  An etymological study of numerous words used in churches and Scriptures that have their origin in pagan religions.

• World Wide Words

  http://www.worldwidewords.org/
  Michael Quinion writes about International English from a British viewpoint. Hundreds of pages on the history, origins, evolution and idiosyncrasies of English, with features on new words and words in the news.

• WyzAnt: Etymology

  https://www.wyzant.com/resources/lessons/english/etymology
  Includes a searchable database of Latin and Greek roots and affixes, a free newsletter, and links to other sites.

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