As many of you know, words often have interesting and unusual origins and can, through time, have a meaning that is quite unlike its origins intended. A great many words are derived from the military, either through continual usage by troops returning home or from its repetition by the various media.

In this book, author Graeme Donald takes a look at many of the words that are or have been in everyday usage that have gained their origins in the military. Words like 'Grapevine' which came from the US Civil war, 'Bikini' which is where atomic bomb testing was done after WWII, 'Boondocks' which came from the Spanish-American war of 1898, 'Martinet' from the reign of Louis XIV and many more are all here. I have to say that I recognized just about all the words and phrases in here, but some are decidedly British so are not ones heard in everyday speech in the US.

I found the book to be entertaining and enlightening as word origins can be fascinating. A nice book to wile away some spare time and one that I'm sure you will find equally as interesting as did I.

December 2008

 For more on the complete line of Osprey books, visit www.ospreypublishing.com or contact them at Osprey Direct, PO Box 140, Wellingborough, Northants, NN8 2FA, UK. In the US, it is Osprey Direct at 44-02 23rd St, Suite 219, Long Island City, NY 11101., where you can get a catalogue of available books.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and quickly, please contact me or see other details in the Note to Contributors.