Interesting read.
Probably meant more for browsing more than reading thru A-Z. But you know what I found? Along with the usual word derivation information through a military and historical lens, the author spends no small amount of time discrediting inaccuracies and misconceptions.
A few of my favorites include Jeep (from the cartoon Popeye in the 1920's) , cold shoulder (from the 1700's hospitality courtesy), and concentration camp (19th century Cuba).
In reality the entries all have some thing to capture even the most casual reader. In other words, you don't need to be a linguist or etymologist to find something of interest here. Give it a try! ( )

This book is a lot of fun. It's neat to discover the military origins of popular phrases (and some not so popular). There have been several times when I thought I knew where a phrase came from only to be VERY wrong.

I'm sure that since this book already came out someone noticed that though it's mentioned on the back cover, the word "ghetto" is not actually listed in the book. ( )

I enjoy learning about the development of our language. It is interesting to understand how word and phrases originated. This book does a good job describing the original meanings of many phrases, and is quite interesting. The format it uses does not do justice to the subject, however. Alphabetized, individual entries work well in a dictionary when you know what you are looking for. When you are reading just for entertainment, it becomes dry very quickly. At for using this book as an academic resource, it has no index or resource to cross reference by theme or origin other than occasionally at the bottom of an entry.

This book is brimming with interesting information. I just wish I could find it. ( )

An interesting look at the history behind some words and phrases commonly used. It really made me wonder about other words and phrases I use in not only verbal communication but written as well. This is a book that is best consumed in small bites, a few passages here and there, not all at once. ( )

An interesting compilation of words and phrases that originated in the military but became commonly used in every day conversation at one point in time or another. Many of the true definitions of these words are a far cry from the way civilians use them, which in itself is quite interesting.

Jam packed with words it could be considered a dictionary, if it weren't for the lack of substantiating data, footnotes and the author's own admission that he abandoned some reference texts for "expert" opinion instead. Who are these experts and why weren't they given their due? Perhaps the full-release version will have them, as it most definitely should!

That said, this was still an entertaining read. I found the explanation on the true origins of the Amazons particularly interesting as it offered an entirely different, and plausible, explanation to the source of the name these legendary warriors had.

Anyone who has a love of history or a passion for word definitions should get a kick out of this book, even if the definitions can't be backed up by hard fact. The average Joe, however, might be bored to tears by it. Definitely a book geared for a certain reading audience, but aren't all books that way ultimately? ( )