Just the Job

How Trades got their Names

Alexander Tulloch

$27.99

Hardback

Not in-store but you can order this
How long will it take?

Availability Information

We source books from suppliers in Australia and overseas. For books we don't currently have in stock, the time it takes to get them from our suppliers can vary widely - from a few days to a few months - so we check each book with each supplier to determine the expected time it will take to be supplied to us.

We then advise you accordingly. If the time taken to get any book is too long for you, you can let us know and we will cancel or adjust your order, and refund as required.

To find out the anticipated arrival time for specific items prior to ordering, please contact us by phone or email:

Phone +61 2 9264 3111, or 1800 4 BOOKS (1800 4 26657) if outside Sydney:
option 1 Abbey's Bookshop (Crime, History, Science, Kids & more) • info@abbeys.com.au
option 2 Language Book Centre (ESL & Foreign Languages) • language@abbeys.com.au
option 3 Galaxy Bookshop (Sci-fi, Fantasy, Romance, Graphic Novels) • sf@galaxybooks.com.au

QTY:

English

Bodleian Library
10 December 2020

Language: history & general works; Reference; Gift books

Highly original and enjoyable examination of the etymology behind a selection of trades and professions, unearthing intriguing nuggets of historical information along the way. Includes explanations of common surnames; obsolete jobs such as pardoner or telegraph boy; and roles for the modern era, such as wedding planner and sky marshal.

What did a gongfarmer do? How is a chaperone connected to a bird of prey? What is the etymology behind cloud architect? And is there a link between secretaries and secrets?

The story behind these (and many more) job titles is rarely predictable and often fascinating. In this highly original book, Alexander Tulloch examines the etymology behind a selection of trades and professions, unearthing intriguing nuggets of historical information along the way. Here you will find explanations of common surnames, such as Spencer, Hayward and Fletcher, obsolete jobs such as pardoner, cordwainer or telegraph boy, and roles for the modern era, such as wedding planner, pundit and sky marshal. Packed with additional etymological information and literary quotations, this book will appeal not only to linguists but also to anyone interested in the quirky twists and turns of meaning which have given us the job titles with which we are familiar today.

By: Alexander Tulloch
Imprint: Bodleian Library
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 184mm, Width: 118mm,
ISBN: 9781851245505
ISBN 10: 1851245502
Pages: 224
Publication Date: 10 December 2020
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Alexander Tulloch is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Linguists and author of 'It's All Greek' (Bodleian Library Publishing, 2018).