Very clever. Crystal uses each word as a starting point for a brief discussion on the ways our language has changed and developed over the centuries, reminding us all of the idiocy of such movements as "language reform", and of the joy we should feel every time we piece together a sentence. We're not just using a language. We're working with a breathing mass of orphans, stragglers, immigrants, and naturalised citizens from so many languages and cultures, now working together in an often unstable and cacophonic new world. And I love it. ( )

This was a delight. Linguist David Crystal's word book of one hundred English words does a great job of exploring and explaining the history of English and how words change and get added to the language. He read it wonderfully, and his light Welsh accent contributed to its feeling like he was telling me a story. Recommended, especially on audio. ( )

Information on a language spoken most of our lives, knew some not all, informative and engaging read. Narrator is author and adds to the interest in the subject. Recommended for those who love knowing more and saying it better. ( )

Entertaining and erudite discussion of the history of 100 English words. Very good on American vs Britishisms and much related interesting history - early American history under "skunk", the peculiar addition of the letter b to "debt" in the 16th century, the various theories for the origin of "OK",etc. One quibble - under Yiddishisms he mentions the expression Joe Schmoe, but does not state what Schmoe is a euphemism for. ( )

A fascinating and readable account of how the English language developed. Expect more than 100 Words - while each section is ostensibly about a particular word, this is just a stalking horse. There can be a dozen or more related words explained in the section. ( )