Thomas F. (hardtack) -
This book purports to tell the true stories of the origins of words, customs and other items. It may do so with some, but overall I think the author was just making it up as he went long. The book is based on articles and appearances on TV and radio shows, and while the author may have related some true stories, I think many others were not true.
For example: the author relates that one way the word "Cocktail" entered our language was during the Mexican-American War in 1845, when "A truce was called, and both the commanding general of the Southern Armies and King Axolotl VIII" of Mexico met."
Well, the American armies were from North American, so one wonders why the author refers to them as "Southern Armies," especially since Mexico is south of the United States. Plus, the leader of Mexico at that time was President Valentín Gómez Farías. The only "Axolotl" listed in Wikipedia is a Mexican salamander.
Obviously, King Axolotl (whatever number) was made up. Especially, since the leader of Mexico was called a president even since Mexico won its freedom from Spain.
Another example: when referring to why the day Friday was either held sacred or feared, the author relates the story of a British warship which had its keel laid on a Friday, was launched on a Friday, was called the HMS Friday and set sail on its initial voyage under the command of Captain James Friday. But then the ship and its crew were never heard of or seen since.
Looking up "HMS Friday" on Wikipedia reveals that the entire story is an urban legend.
There are a lot of other books, several of which I have read, which relate the origin of words and customs. Read one of those and avoid this one.
For example: the author relates that one way the word "Cocktail" entered our language was during the Mexican-American War in 1845, when "A truce was called, and both the commanding general of the Southern Armies and King Axolotl VIII" of Mexico met."
Well, the American armies were from North American, so one wonders why the author refers to them as "Southern Armies," especially since Mexico is south of the United States. Plus, the leader of Mexico at that time was President Valentín Gómez Farías. The only "Axolotl" listed in Wikipedia is a Mexican salamander.
Obviously, King Axolotl (whatever number) was made up. Especially, since the leader of Mexico was called a president even since Mexico won its freedom from Spain.
Another example: when referring to why the day Friday was either held sacred or feared, the author relates the story of a British warship which had its keel laid on a Friday, was launched on a Friday, was called the HMS Friday and set sail on its initial voyage under the command of Captain James Friday. But then the ship and its crew were never heard of or seen since.
Looking up "HMS Friday" on Wikipedia reveals that the entire story is an urban legend.
There are a lot of other books, several of which I have read, which relate the origin of words and customs. Read one of those and avoid this one.
