Alphabetical Guide to the Language of Name Studies

This informative and entertaining work provides information on more than 660 terms used in onomastics, the study of names. The book is organized as a dictionary, with entries and cross-references that enable users to locate terms using either their common names or their more formal terms. So, for example, under "cat names" one finds that the scientific term for that area of study is "ailuronymics." Or, "nautonymics" is the study of boat names. Most entries include information on the origin of the term, its definition, examples of the term in use, and anecdotal information of interest. A glossary of classical root words—both Greek and Latin—is also included, as well as a bibliography of related works. Students of onomastics will find this book both interesting and useful, as will linguists and lovers of language.