Words on the Web

These are some of my favorite word-related websites. Please e-mail me if you have another link to suggest.

The Word Detective www.word-detective.com

The online version of Evan Morris's column answering reader questions about word meanings and etymology. Readers can submit a question, read the latest issue of the newsletter, or search the archives alphabetically or by date. Well researched and entertainingly written.

World Wide Words www.worldwidewords.org

Authored by British word expert Michael Quinion, this site gives the lowdown on such intriguing terms as flagitious and sky-blue pink, as well as the origins of puzzling expressions. A complete index and back issues of the weekly newsletter are available.

Wordorigins.org www.wordorigins.org

This site, written by Dave Wilton, is devoted to word and phrase origins, with emphasis on the debunking of etymological myths. It features a list of around 400 words and phrases.

The Phrase Finder www.phrases.org.uk

Founded by Gary Martin, this site offers a discussion forum on the meanings and origins of English idioms and sayings. Over 1,200 phrases can be accessed either alphabetically or by keyword. The site also features the Nonsense Nine, a listing of expressions that inspire the most egregiously nonsensical origins theories.

Double-Tongued Dictionary www.doubletongued.org

A collection of new words from "the fringes of English," the work of American lexicographer Grant Barrett. This fascinating word list includes slang, jargon, and catchwords, with definitions and citations.

The Big Apple www.barrypopik.com

Origins of terms connected to New York City, as well as other words and expressions with interesting histories. Among the exhaustively researched terms on this site are hot dog, dude, and the whole nine yards.

The Word Spy www.wordspy.com

A site dedicated to "lexpionage," the uncovering of new words and phrases. Word listings include definitions and citations. The archives are organized both alphabetically and by subject.

Word Play www.wolinskyweb.net/word.htm

Annotated links to a wide range of word sites, including some oddballs like the Anagram Genius Server, which supplies anagrams on demand for the word or phrase of your choice. Compiled by Judi Wolinsky.