When Words Have a Life of Their Own

As I confided to you some time back, in some alternative universe I think have a thriving career as a lexicographer. I am turned on by dictionaries, love words and their etymologies.

It's really nice to hear about a book on the English language winning the John Llewellyn Rhys this year - the first time a work of non-fiction has won since it's inception.*

Henry Hitchings's The Secret Life of Words, about the roots of modern English and the origins of words is, according to the chair of the judges :

... Amazingly accessible, it's written with great grace and enthusiasm and humour, and is also a scholarly work.

You can read reviews of the book in a number of places including the Times, the New York Sun, and the Independent.

I'm looking to laying my hands on a copy soon!

* (Oops i get corrected in the comments!)