BETRUMPED

Words are always in motion - not just in our mouths but across continents and centuries. They immigrate and emigrate, reflect changing fashions and revolutions in government. This book addresses the questions of where words come from, why they disappear and what happens to them in between by exploring over 3000 examples. It traces their changing meanings since Samuel Johnson first compiled his dictionary, and finally identifies many words that are endangered through lack of use.