This was a fun read, and while it's full of interesting facts, doesn't read like a textbook. The chapters are separated into themes, and while some of the origins are theories and not factual, Zafarris is careful to denote the differences. I found the history of the words listed fascinating, especially because a lot of the words are everyday ones. The fact that the book focuses on "dirty" words just made it more fun and interesting in my opinion. It's easy for even non-linguists to enjoy, as long as you have some curiosity about language.

I love etymology and the story of words. This is an entertaining, easy to follow, informative, and well researched book that I strongly recommend
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I am the kind of person who loves looking up the origin of common phrases so when I came across this book I knew I had to read it. I loved all the background and facts about each word, including the theories about where they were first used or recorded. It was also so interesting to see how many words weren't originally used as insults but over time took on those meanings. It's a great example of how language is always changing and morphing into something new, which we still see happening today. I so wish I could recommend this book to some of the students and teachers I work with for part of vocabulary lessons in English classes, but obviously due to the types of words included here I'd probably get myself (and them) into a bit of trouble. I think it would help people be more appreciative of how intricate and complicated our language really is. I loved this book from start to finish. I received this copy as an e-book, but I definitely want a physical copy for my bookshelf!

Our author brings a genial and engaging style to his task, and the result is amusing and diverting, (although best taken in small does or l,ese the premise will begin to drag).

This book is delightful! It's also gross. And sad. And risque. And astonishing. Basically all of the parts of human existence that make us make language are here. So it's maybe not for young readers, but there are lots of facts and connections that you can pass along to them, and anyone else who'll listen. When your blowhard uncle starts talking conspiracy theories at the holiday table, tell him that science, schizophrenia, and shit all have the same root word (proto-Indo-European for "to separate"). Word etymologies FTW!

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

I'm a language lover and I really enjoy books on etymology, especially when well-presented. Jess Zafarris has provided a great book filled with word histories. Not all of it is taboo language as I initially thought. This book covers that well with chapters on the body, erotica and insults. But it also includes chapters on bias and bigotry and for ableism and mental health which are not ones I have seen in other similar texts. There are some pretty hellish words amongst these and it was good to see them acknowledged. Hellish in a slightly different way are chapters on drugs, crime, scandal, violence and the supernatural, to put it simply. . I found these really interesting to read and it was good to learn so much of the history behind these words. Some of the backgrounds are really quite surprising.

I rate this four solid stars and recommend this book for anyone interested in word histories, particularly those of the more hell-ish variety. Thank you to Netgalley and Chambers for giving me an advanced reader copy. I have provided this feedback under no obligation.

Words from Hell is a fascinating journey into the history of swear words, insults, and all sorts of weird and wonderful words. I loved the way the book was divided into relevant sections so it didn’t feel overwhelming. There was a section on slurs which was handled delicately and some were mentioned but not by name (rather by nickname). I’d recommend it to any other fans of etymology because I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the topic of swear words and other rude or bold words and phrases throughout the years.

In Words From Hell by Jess Sefarris we learned the origin story of bad words scary monsters gender qualifiers and so much more this book was so much fun from the Greeks grabbing each other’s testicles to make an oath to why warlocks aren’t necessarily men witches I found the dialogue to be funny informative and I love this book whenever I had a spare moment I found myself opening it up and was shocked when I came to the end, not to mention a little disappointed. They have so much fun stuff in this book this review doesn’t do it just as they talk of penis envy and even where the word cleavage comes from it is just packed with gray useless information something I thrive on and I’m an expert at lol! I want to thank Hashead entertainment and Net Galley for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes I am blind.

Word origins tell us so much about ourselves. This book covers the words you wouldn't have asked about in school. If you're a word geek, you'll enjoy this romp through swear words, body parts, and old-fashioned insults.

This isn’t your usual etymology book. Here you’ll find the histories of words relating to swearing, body parts and functions, sexuality, insults, slurs, racism, ableism, pirate talk, war and all things supernatural.

I found a few new favourites along the way, most notably brainsquirt, a word used about 350 years ago meaning “a feeble or abortive attempt at reasoning.” There’s also ignivomous, “spitting or vomiting fire”.

Then there were surprises, like discovering that in the 14th century, bowel meant tenderness or compassion.

“The word “shark” (or “sharker”) first appeared in English in the 1400’s, and at that time it meant “scoundrel”, “villain” or “swindler”. It wasn’t a word for the animal in English until the 1700’s.”

My favourite part of this book was the folktale about the jack-o’-lantern, where Jack successfully tricks Satan more than once, but at a price.

In hindsight, it probably would have been better if I’d dipped in and out of this book over a few weeks, reading about a handful of words each time. Reading from cover to cover, I ended up a bit bogged down.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Chambers, an imprint of John Murray Press, for the opportunity to read this book. I’m rounding up from 3.5 stars.

Words from Hell: Unearthing the Darkest Secrets of English Etymology by Jess Zafarris is a exploration of the English language, where words go to be tortured and mutilated into unrecognizable shadows of their former selves. It's where Latin, Greek, and Germanic roots are shredded apart and stitched unceremoniously back together with misunderstood snippets of languages snatched from the wreckage of conquest and colonialism. It wreaks merciless havoc upon grammar and spelling. It turns clinical terms into insults and children's tales into filthy euphemisms. With an emphasis on understanding where the foulest words in the English language came from-and the disgusting and hilarious histories behind them-this book demonstrates the true filth of our everyday words. But this book is more than just a list of vulgar words and salacious slang. It's a thoughtful analysis of why we deem words as being inappropriate as well as revealing 'good words' that have surprisingly naughty origins. Dirty-minded word nerds and lewd linguistics lovers will derive unadulterated pleasure in leering at the origins of swear words, sexual lingo, inappropriate idioms, violent vocabulary, and terminology for bodily functions-not to mention the unexpectedly foul origins of words you thought were perfectly innocent. If it's inappropriate, stomach-churning, uncomfortable, or offensive, this book reaches into the dark recesses of history and exposes them for all to see.

Words from Hell is a book crafted for readers that love learning about words, and take joy in discovering the dirty, unexpected, and unusual path some words have taken to get to their current connotation, and dictionary definition. I was glad that the author took the time to point out how much of the English language has been stolen from other languages, and how many cultures, languages, and people were destroyed via colonization over the years. Not to mention the classism, racisms, and xenophobic tendencies that seem to pepper themselves trough out the way the language has developed. I thought the book was well organized, and offered a sardonic tone, with facts and humor balancing nicely. I think word nerds will enjoy the read.

3.5

This is an interesting look at the history behind a lot of different words. I like that the author wasn't afraid to make jokes and use "crude" language. However, something about this made it very hard for me to read large portions at a time. Maybe repetitiveness?

I hope they'll be fixed in the finished edition, but there were multiple typos, most obviously with dates (the Thirty Year's War lasted 30 years, not 20, and Ursula K Le Guin didn't die at -3 years old).

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are my own opinions.

As someone with a bit of a potty mouth and a thirst for knowledge, this book is perfect. I feel like I'm now full of semi useless, yet important information that everyone who speaks with me will learn as well. Highly recommend this book to does who often ask "Why do we say this?"

I will be buying a hard copy to have on hand.

The English language is where words go to be tortured and mutilated into unrecognizable shadows of their former selves. It's where Latin, Greek, and Germanic roots are shredded apart and stitched unceremoniously back together with misunderstood snippets of languages snatched from the wreckage of conquest and colonialism

Highly informative and very interesting.

Zafarris has created a veritable feast of language and etymology, mostly focused on words we commonly think of as vulgar or profane (or have otherwise less than positive connotations). This book was an interesting look at where these words that we use today came from, and how some of them changed in use and meaning over time. English has long been known as a language that pulls and steals from many others, and we see some of that in action here.

While I enjoyed the idea of the book, in the end, it didn't quite solidify for me in execution. There were a few times when the author seemed to have a lot of fun adding in words as descriptors that did not actually add anything to the narrative. There were also points where it felt like reading a textbook and not something geared toward a wider audience.

If you are a fan of history, a fan of language, or a fan of reading about "naughty" words, this book will be for you. There is quite a bit here that will satisfy the craving for word aficionados to learn something new about terms they may not think twice about using in daily life.

This was a fascinating and often surprising read. We (the adults, not the children this time, obviously) spent the better part of the week quoting our favourite works from the book.

My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Chambers Books for an advance copy of this book dealing with the history, the use and corruption of certain words, and how some still have a stigma today that is hard to use in polite society.

One of my biggest regrets is that I am not a fluent speaker of any language. Not even of the language that was spoken in my home, that I have been taught in and use at work all the time. English. This language is still a mystery to me. I still have to remember my there, their and they're, I before E accept after C, all the things that Schoolhouse Rock instilled in me before I went to school and forgot everything. Though when I first started working in Waldenbooks the book Anguished English by Richard Lederer, was a popular title, and Dell Publishing came out with a whole series of books on words that I devoured, and somehow retained. Though I can't spell them, and probably are not using them right. So I have always loved books on words. And now I think I have a new Gosh Dang favorite in Words From Hell:Unearthing the Darkest Secrets of English Etymology by writer and word fiend Jess Zafarris. The book goes into the history of words that can be used to be both profane, and supernatural, violent, anatomically descriptive and much more.

The book begins with a introduction that discusses the author's pas in writing books about word origins for young readers, and moving up to words that children would have their mouths washed out with soap for using. From there we look at word origins, with an overview of language, and how words are brought in, adapted or corrupted and move on. The book is then broken into 10 chapters dealing with words that could be used as obscenities, words about the body, words about war, the human nature for bias and bigotry, booze and drugs, and of course spicy words about spicy things and descriptions. These chapters have brief preamble, followed by an alphabetical listing of words to fit the section. For example Assassin in Chapter Eight. The word is presented with a history of where it came from, prominent uses, how the word has been corrupted, and use today, with examples.

A very fun look at language, and language that is usually pooh-poohed by most, but as the political discussion becomes more course, it helps to understand where these words are coming from, and more importantly, how to use them. Zafarris is very funny, and a very good writer which helps keep that narrative moving. Books like this can get in its own way with just lists that seem daunting to the reader. I suggest one shouldn't just sit down and read this, more look at it a section at a time, and let the words soak in. This way one can learn how to incorporate these words into one's vernacular be it telling a boss off, or getting cut off in traffic.

A good gift for a friend that uses a lot of blue language as a way to increase their verbiage, and hopefully make them laugh. This is both a wonderful reference, and a fun book to flip through, and I found it quite enjoyable, and laughed a lot. Again a nice gift for certain people at the holidays.

I can see what the author was trying to do here, with a fun dip into etymology but oh my lord, this book just dragged on and on and on to the point where I was fed up with it only a third of the way into the book. Needs to be shorter, in my opinion.

A great gift for any linguist or anyone interest in the history of bad words. I thought the balance between brief histories of the word and the inclusion of the false associated histories of the word was really interesting. Sections are great nugget sizes that make it easy to dip in and out of.

I enjoyed this book. It was a well-written, fun read. The etymologies are thorough and explain a lot, including unpaired words (words commonly used with a prefix or suffix but not alone). This cleared up a lot of mysteries for me. Zafarris has a good sense of humor that comes clearly through. I recommend this book for people who love learning about languages. Thank you to Netgalley and Chambers Books for the advance reader copy.