German Loanwords in English: An Historical Dictionary

Description

This dictionary, first published in 1994, is a vast collection of English words and multiword lexical units borrowed from the German language. It contains over 6,000 entries. This dictionary also includes the first recorded date of the German loan in English, the semantic area, variant forms, etymology, a definition of the English word, a listing of derivative forms and often grammatical comment for each word. It also provides original, nontechnical essays on the chronological sequencing of German loans in English and their relationship to historical events and people, and on the linguistic phenomena, processes and concepts involved in borrowing. The entries in this dictionary will intrigue cultural historians. Students of the history of the English language and of language contact and change will find the book invaluable. Essential for German-language scholars and historians with a special interest in German influence on Anglo-American culture.

"...scholarly, comprehensive, and highly useful--a remarkable accomplishment by the two authors." Herbert Penzi, American Speech "...Pfeffer and Cannon present their findings in a way which is fascinating for everyone who loves language...a book for the expert and the interested laymen, a book which should be in every Germanist's library. It is a study which demands respect." Dierk Hoffman, Germanic Notes and Reviews "...an extraordinarily up-to-date record of German loanwords in English." American Reference Books Annual "In addition to its importance as the most thorough available compendium of German loanwords in English, its arrangement by subject matter makes it particularly valuable....Of vital importance to academic libraries supporting programs in Indo-European or Germanic linguistics, this volume will also be of interest to large public libraries that collect broadly in such general subjects as the etymology of the English language." Choice "...the analytical categories set forth by Pfeffer and Cannon in this book are interesting and useful." Laurence Urdang, Verbatim Vol. XXI, No. 3 "...a useful tool for those interested in etymology and the history of the English language. This book also reveals that there are more German loanwords in English than is commonly assumed. The alphabetical index to semantic fields is especially thorough. I recommmend this reference work for inclusion in any college and university library collection." Germanic Notes and Reviews "The book is excellently edited and printed, including even a meticulously correct spelling of thousands of German words. For comprehensiveness and reliability in all other respects the dictionary sets standards of high quality." -- International Journal of Lexicography