Sign-In
Cart
Friends with Words: Adventures in Languageland
Paperback
Biographies GeneralEtymologyGeneral World History
Publisher Price: $18.00
ISBN13: 9781419778858
Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
Published: Aug 11 2026
Pages: 320
Weight: 0.61
Height: 1.00 Width: 5.40 Depth: 8.10
Language: English
The word nerd gift book of the year! With warmth and humor, a popular radio and podcast host shares her love of language, weaving together linguistic history, regional phrases, the hidden poetry in etymologies, new words, and stories from her life and time on the air.
Martha Barnette has spent two decades as the co-host of A Way with Words, lauded by Mary Norris in The New Yorker as a virtual treasure house and 'Car Talk' for Lexiphiles.
Over that time, she's developed a keen sense of what fascinates people about language. They are curious about etymology and revel in slang, are surprised by regional vocabulary and celebrate linguistic diversity. Idioms both puzzle and delight word lovers, and they are eager to share family neologisms and that weird phrase Grandma always used to say.
In Friends with Words, Barnette weaves together all these strands in a clear, informative, highly entertaining exploration of language. Chock-full of anecdotes, humorous asides, new words, trivia, and other lexicological delights, Friends with Words also tells Barnette's story--from her Appalachian roots through her study of Ancient Greek, and on to the making of a beloved and enduring show.
Friends with Words is an expert, good-humored, joyful read, a perfect gift book.
1 different editions
Also available
Also from
Barnette, Martha
Ladyfingers and Nun's Tummies: A Lighthearted Look at How Foods Got Their Names
Barnette, Martha
Paperback
Also in
Etymology
English Grammar in Use Book with Answers: A Self-Study Reference and Practice Book for Intermediate Learners of English
Murphy, Raymond
Paperback
English Collocations in Use Intermediate Book with Answers: How Words Work Together for Fluent and Natural English
McCarthy, Michael
O'Dell, Felicity
Paperback
Scribblers, Sculptors, and Scribes: A Companion to Wheelock's Latin and Other Introductory Textbooks
LaFleur, Richard A.
Paperback
The Perfect English Grammar Workbook: Simple Rules and Quizzes to Master Today's English
McLendon, Lisa
Paperback
English Phrasal Verbs in Use Advanced Book with Answers: Vocabulary Reference and Practice
McCarthy, Michael
O'Dell, Felicity
Paperback
The Only Grammar Book You'll Ever Need, Updated Edition: Your One-Stop Source for Mastering English Grammar
Thurman, Susan
Paperback
English Vocabulary in Use: Advanced Book with Answers: Vocabulary Reference and Practice
McCarthy, Michael
O'Dell, Felicity
Paperback
English Vocabulary in Use Upper-Intermediate Book with Answers: Vocabulary Reference and Practice
O'Dell, Felicity
McCarthy, Michael
Paperback
Practice Makes Perfect: Complete English All-In-One for ESL Learners, Premium Second Edition
Swick, Ed
Paperback
101 Conversations in Intermediate English: Short, Natural Dialogues to Improve Your Spoken English from Home
Richards, Olly
Paperback
Practice Makes Perfect: English Vocabulary for Beginning ESL Learners, Premium Fourth Edition
Yates, Jean
Paperback
The Etymologicon: A Circular Stroll Through the Hidden Connections of the English Language
Forsyth, Mark
Forsyth, Mark
Paperback
Inglés En 100 Días - Inglés Para Conversar / English in 100 Days: Conversational English
Inglés En 100 Días
Paperback
101 Conversations in Simple English: Short, Natural Dialogues to Boost Your Confidence & Improve Your Spoken English
Richards, Olly
Paperback
Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Curious Origins of Everyday Sayings and Fun Phrases
Thompson, Andrew
Hardcover
Practice Makes Perfect: Advanced English Grammar for ESL Learners, Second Edition
Lester, Mark
Paperback
Practice Makes Perfect: Intermediate English Grammar for ESL Learners, Third Edition
Torres-Gouzerh, Robin
Paperback
English Vocabulary in Use Upper-Intermediate Book with Answers and Enhanced eBook: Vocabulary Reference and Practice
McCarthy, Michael
O'Dell, Felicity
Paperback
Woe Is I: The Grammarphobe's Guide to Better English in Plain English (Fourth Edition)
O'Conner, Patricia T.
Paperback
Inglés Básico: Una introducción práctica en treinta temas básicos para empezar a hablar ya!
Welsch, Daniel
Paperback
Inglés En 100 Días. Inglés Para Latinos. Nueva Edición / English in 100 Days. the Latino's Complete English Course
Inglés En 100 Días
Paperback
50 English Coffee Breaks: Short Activities to Improve Your English One Cup at a Time
Coffee Break Languages
Paperback
The Why You Say It: The Fascinating Stories Behind Over 600 Everyday Words and Phrases
Garrison, Webb
Paperback
Azar-Hagen Grammar - (Ae) - 5th Edition - Student Book with App - Fundamentals of English Grammar
Hagen, Stacy
Azar, Betty
Paperback
Practical English Usage, 4th Edition Paperback: Michael Swan's Guide to Problems in English
Swan, Michael
Paperback
Biología y procesos vivos: Diccionario etimológico crítico del castellano
Goitia Blanco, Javier
Paperback
The Best Punctuation Book, Period: A Comprehensive Guide for Every Writer, Editor, Student, and Businessperson
Casagrande, June
Paperback
English Grammar in Use Supplementary Exercises Book with Answers: To Accompany English Grammar in Use Fifth Edition
Hashemi, Louise
Paperback
The Illustrated Histories of Everyday Expressions: Discover the True Stories Behind the English Language's 64 Most Popular Idioms
McGuire, James
Hardcover
American English File Second Edition: Level 4 Student Book: With Online Practice
Latham-Koenig, Christina
Oxenden, Clive
Paperback
English Pronunciation in Use Intermediate Book with Answers and Downloadable Audio
Hancock, Mark
Paperback
The Horologicon: A Day's Jaunt Through the Lost Words of the English Language
Forsyth, Mark
Paperback
Vandals, Scapegoats, and Bootleggers: The Curious Origins of Everyday Words
Thompson, Andrew
Paperback
The Illustrated Etymologicon: A Circular Stroll Through the Hidden Connections of the English Language
Forsyth, Mark
Hardcover
Japan's Cultural Codewords: 233 Key Japanese Terms and Expressions to Help You Navigate the Culture Successfully
De Mente, Boye Lafayette
Paperback
McGraw-Hill Education 400 Must-Have Words for the Toefl, 2nd Edition
Stafford-Yilmaz, Lynn
Zwier, Lawrence
Paperback
Words on the Move: Why English Won't - And Can't - Sit Still (Like, Literally)
McWhorter, John
Paperback
American Headway Third Edition: Level Starter Student Book: With Oxford Online Skills Practice Pack
Soars, John And Liz
Paperback
American English File Second Edition: Level 1 Student Book: With Online Practice
Latham-Koenig, Christina
Oxenden, Clive
Seligson, Paul
Hardcover
Introduction to Ebonics: The Relexification of African Grammar with English and Other Indo-European Words
Taylor, Linda R.
Paperback
Exam Essentials Practice Tests: Cambridge English Advanced 2 with Key and DVD-ROM
Bradbury, Tom
Yeates, Eunice
Paperback
Collaboration and Co-Teaching for English Learners: A Leader′s Guide
Dove, Maria G.
Honigsfeld, Andrea
Paperback
Objective Proficiency Student's Book with Answers with Downloadable Software
Capel, Annette
Sharp, Wendy
Paperback
First for Schools Trainer Six Practice Tests with Answers and Teachers Notes with Audio
Elliott, Sue
O'Dell, Felicity
Tiliouine, Helen
Paperback
Work on Your Vocabulary: A Practice Book for Learners at Upper Intermediate Level
Collins Uk
Paperback
A Student's Introduction to English Grammar
Pullum, Geoffrey K.
Reynolds, Brett
Huddleston, Rodney
Paperback
Tracks That Speak: The Legacy of Native American Words in North American Culture
Cutler, Charles L.
Paperback
Inspired Baby Names from Around the World: 6,000 International Names and the Meaning Behind Them
Shane, Neala
Paperback
Vox Populi: 600 Latin Quotes and Phrases for Everyday Life and Personal Inspiration
Vitali, Giulio
Paperback
Learn English Paragraph Writing Skills: ESL Paragraph Essentials for International Students
Dew, Stephen E.
Paperback
Why Do We Say That? The Origins & History Of Your Favorite Expressions, Phrases & Proverbs
Matthews, Scott
Paperback
Etudes de Linguistique Appliquee - No3/2013: Parlers de Metiers. Hommage a Gabrielle Quemada
Klincksieck
Paperback
Dhatupatha Verbs in 10 Lakaras Vol III: Roots of Conjugation 10c
Aggarwal, Ashwini Kumar
Hemswaroopa, Sadhvi
Hardcover