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I don't think the title quite suits this book, as there was nothing useless about it at all! It was really quite an in depth and thorough exploration of etymology. It isn't something I would sit to read in one go, as it did feel dry in places and contains a lot of information that needs absorbing, but as something to dip into every now and again for reference, it would be an excellent library addition. I especially enjoyed the later chapters related to more whimsical word adventures. An interesting nonfiction title I definitely enjoyed!

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The etymology in this book is pretty much, well, useless. But it sure is good for a fun time. And I was able to dazzle my friends with useless bits of trivia.

If you want a book that will offer you virtually nothing of redeeming value, but will make for a good time for a few hours, this is the book for you.

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To say that this was a delightful journey through the landscape of the English language would be an understatement. While maintaining a casual—almost conversational—tone, Jess Zafarris introduced and reacquaints readers with the many idiosyncrasies of this language we call our own. This is a delight for fellow wordsmiths and those associated with the English language, and I cannot wait to have a physical copy to flip through time & again!

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If you’ve ever questioned why English can feel like a chaotic linguistic puzzle—or if you've simply wondered why we have so many synonyms—this book is your treasure trove (a word that, as Zafarris points out, is literally what “thesaurus” means!).

Zafarris blends historical insight with a conversational tone that makes complex etymologies feel like fun facts you’d want to share at a dinner party. She celebrates the influences of Germanic, Romance, Hellenic, Semitic, African, and Native American languages, reminding us how language is shaped by culture, history, and human creativity.

Whether you're a word nerd, a language lover, or just someone who wants a fresh perspective on the words we use every day, Useless Etymology is a delightful, enlightening read. It made me fall in love with English all over again—and gave me a newfound appreciation for the madness behind the method.

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Thank you to John Murray Press | Chambers for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

You ever start to look up something and then that one thing leads to like 16 other links and the next thing you know it’s 24 hours later and you are so deep in a rabbit hole the web page you’re on looks like it was last updated in 1997? This book is that. But with words. And it’s marvelous. You will have all the ammo you need to start any and all conversations with “well, actually” and it will be glorious. What you think you know will be challenged (synergy is an old word!) and words you think are old are in fact, less than 100 years old. The book is formatted incredibly well, and can be consumed in small doses or a sit-down read through.

This is one that I can easily say before I’m even 10% into this book that I will be purchasing a hardbound copy. (Narrator She did in fact pre-order a copy.) This is the absolute perfect book to gift to any word nerd or professional communicator in your life.

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Thank you to NetGalley and John Murray Press for this arc!

4/5 stars

I went into this expecting it to be quick one offs of fun words and origins, but this book goes into so much depth! I really enjoyed the section with myths; I’ve definitely heard the sophomore means wise fool and it was fun to learn that’s not entirely the case!

I’ve seen a lot of reviews from people in fields where etymology and linguistics play a big role or are fans of the subjects who think this book is an easy read for those new to the subject. I fit in neither category, I simply picked this book up out of curiosity, so let me give my opinion:

I also agree this is a good introductory read! The author’s voice didn’t feel pretentious and I didn’t feel like I was being talked down to. It’s very lengthy and, obviously, wordy 🤭 so I feel like it’s better suited to be a book you pick up and put down often as opposed to read all in one sitting.

The only thing that held me back was I definitely found myself skimming parts with words I didn’t find interesting. 🤷

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Quirky fun book for anyone who is a "why" question asker. This is a great book if you are the friend who has all the useless knowledge

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Useless Etymology is one of those books that’s perfect for flipping through on a lazy afternoon with a cup of coffee. Jess Zafarris digs into the weird, surprising, and often hilarious origins of everyday words—and it’s packed with interesting factoids that’ll make you sound way smarter than you actually are at parties.

That said, reading it cover-to-cover in one go can feel a bit like eating an entire bag of chips in one sitting: fun at first, but eventually you hit a wall. It’s definitely better suited as a coffee table book, something to pick up at random and say, “Wait… that’s where that word came from?!”

Overall, it's a fun, quirky read for word nerds and trivia lovers, even if it’s best enjoyed in small bites rather than big gulps.

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Great introduction to English linguistics. Reminds me of a course I took at uni. So, it was interesting to refresh my memory while discovering new words explained, especially the more modern ones.
Sometimes, the words seem picked randomly but why not (hence, my 4 stars).
Thanks to NetGalley for the read!

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This book is fun and informational. I found myself reciting facts to friends and family shortly after reading. Some chapters I flew through because they were so fascinating. There were parts of the book that felt a little wordy and I realize the irony of saying this about a book about words. Thanks to NetGalley and John Murray Press for the ARC!

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Etymology nerds, rejoice! For those of us who hear an interesting word or phrase and can't hit the Google machine fast enough to learn the unique, bizarre, or contentious origins, Useless Etymology is a dream read. I know I'll come back to it again and again.

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The formatting of the copy I received did not display very well in the Kindle app. Words were stuck together and line breaks were haphazard. And what’s with the giant feather in an inkwell graphic which dominated pages? This was super annoying. Altho these setbacks made the reading experience unpleasant, I did manage to plough through the ebook bc I do love words and their etymology useless or not.. It’s a dry subject made interesting by the authors thorough research. .

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Totally useless—and completely delightful. This book made me feel smarter and weirder about words I use every day. Jess Zafarris turns etymology into a kind of chaotic treasure hunt, full of odd facts, delightful detours, and words I thought I understood until five minutes ago. It's like getting cornered at a party by someone who knows way too much about language—and somehow, you're thrilled about it. A perfect read for anyone who's ever asked, “Wait, why do we say that?”

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I have always been fascinated by words, so when I saw this book I thought it was a perfect one for me. Filled with the history of words, their meanings and how those meanings have changed through time (clever was once an insult?!) This book is a fun look at the English language and how it has changed through time with the addition of playful facts and examples. Ths is not a quick and easy read due to the sheer volume of information included, but it I's a very worthwhile read for anyone with an interest in language or words. This book on etymology is anything but useless despite the title.

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3.5 ⭐

This is not my first etymology book, but my first from this author. I guess that the general idea is there, a lot of words with some fun facts about them, a down-to-earth approach to writing that makes an otherwise arid subject, fun and easy for laymen. But there are parts were the coherence is missing and the connection between the words explained is just not there.

Overall an interesting read, but could be better. Obviously, is a difficult subject to render in a book, so KUDOS to the author for her work!

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

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I intend for this rating to be 4.5 instead of 4.

Wow! What an interesting read. This book was filled with interesting facts with the perfect amount of humour. This book is perfect for anyone who loves linguistics, history or any kind of fun. I could not put this book down which feels weird to say for a book about words but it is true.

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Reading Useless Etymology by Jess Zafarris was like embarking on a delightful treasure hunt through the quirks and histories of the English language. I was constantly surprised by the unexpected, often humorous origins of everyday words, and I loved how the book revealed the fascinating, cross-cultural journey that shapes the language we speak today. It left me with a renewed sense of wonder for the beautiful chaos of language and a deeper appreciation for its rich, winding history.

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This was a really educational read, and also really funny! Zafarris injects humour into each subsection and introduced me to many new words. The commentary made the book so much more than a simple collection of facts, turning it into an enjoyable peek into our author's mind.

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The author does a great job at explaining the etymology of many disparate words, grouping them in chapters that guide the reader and entertain throughout. As a non-native English speaker, I found the book enlightening and informative, helping me in improving my mastering of the language. It did so without ever falling into being pedantic or boring.

I received an ARC copy from Chambers and NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

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Thank you Netgalley for this ARC! As an English teacher, polyglot, and amateur linguist I am absolutely in love with this book. I believe that etymology should be taught in all language subjects. Despite the name, no etymology is useless.

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