Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity. At first glance the cover is stunning. Its one of those covers that draws you in. Definitely not useless though. Reading about different words and where they come from made for an interesting read so if i have to some up this book it would be interesting but different.

There are a lot of books that give interesting etymological tidbits out there, and unfortunately this one was just ok for me. The organization was frustrating and felt random, and the linguistic explanations given for different concepts were too superficial. I think it would be more successful if it either elided these altogether or really considered the structure of the content to better delve into those concepts. For example, back formation and backronyms might logically be presented together rather than several chapters apart.

<i>Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book</i>

**Review of *Useless Etymology*: A Delightfully Nerdy Deep Dive Into the Words We Thought We Knew**

*Useless Etymology* is an irresistible read for word lovers, trivia enthusiasts, and anyone who’s ever paused mid-sentence to wonder, “Wait… why do we say it like that?” Packed with engaging anecdotes and unexpected linguistic twists, this book transforms the English language from a daily tool into a fascinating puzzle with global roots and centuries of history.

What truly sets this book apart is its brilliant structure. The information flows effortlessly, jumping between eras, cultures, and concepts without ever losing the thread. Whether you’re curious about why “sinister” means “left-handed” or why English feels like it’s hoarding synonyms, each section answers big questions in satisfying, bite-sized bursts. It’s a book that doesn’t demand to be read in a single sitting—you can drop in for a page or two, learn something utterly delightful, and return later without skipping a beat.

The author’s knack for storytelling elevates even the most obscure facts. Anecdotes about Shakespeare’s alleged wordsmithing or the real meaning behind “thesaurus” aren’t just informative—they’re genuinely fun. And despite the playful tone, the scholarship is solid: the book doesn’t dumb down its content, it just makes the history of language feel accessible and entertaining.

*Useless Etymology* is the kind of book that makes you want to share what you've learned with the next person you talk to—because once you’ve read that an “astronaut” is literally a “star sailor,” how could you not?

This book made my little nerd brain so happy. I LOVE etymology and make it fun and potentially useless?! Who doesn’t love fun facts?! It’s me, I love fun facts and trivia. It’s well paced and I found it fascinating.

Useless Etymology by Jess Zafarris
Rating: 4/5

As someone who constantly wonders why things are called what they're called, Useless Etymology was like a treasure hunt for my inner word nerd. Jess Zafarris dives into the quirky, unexpected, and sometimes downright hilarious origins of words we use every day—but rarely stop to question.

I loved how accessible and witty the writing was. Each chapter felt like a casual chat with a clever friend who’s full of random but fascinating facts. It’s not just about language—it’s about culture, history, and the strange logic that shapes the way we communicate.

This book didn’t just scratch an itch; it gave me new ways to look at familiar things. I now find myself blurting out etymological trivia in everyday conversations (and maybe annoying a few people along the way).

If you’ve ever caught yourself asking, “Why do we call it a deadline?” or “What does the word ‘sincere’ even mean?”—this one’s for you.

As someone who enjoys linguistics and the history behind words, Useless Etymology was a super engaging read. It’s full of facts and clever explanations that made me appreciate just how weird (and fascinating) English really is. I loved the informal tone — it felt like chatting with someone who’s genuinely excited about language.
While the structure jumped around a bit, it didn’t take away from how interesting and accessible the book was. It’s perfect for anyone curious about where words come from, without needing a background in linguistics.
Thank you to NetGalley and John Murray Press for the ARC! And for trying to bring mr down to read non-fiction books

If you, like me, enjoy reading about words and grammar, this is a useful etymology book! The tone is engaging, the explanations are clear, and the fun facts are plentiful. The words discussed didn't follow a specific structure per se; they flowed and meandered as the author moved from concept to concept. This made for a captivating read. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and can see myself returning to it for the trivia and tidbits.

Thank you to NetGalley and John Murray Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 stars rounded up.

The way Useless Etymology is structured and the overall tone feels like a curse and blessing simultaneously. On one hand, it's very conversational and casual. It's the friend who likes yapping and info dumping and you're just nodding and along for the ride. Pretty delightful in that sense. On the other.... idk. It's not organized in a way that feels like I'm going to remember anything without dedicating another reread or two to it. I also found the quill and inkwell that appeared throughout the book to be quite distracting and unappealing. For me, it detracted from the content rather than adding anything of value.

I did see that there's an "index" at the end of the book but it's blank??? I'm wondering if that means when Useless Etymology is published we'll be able to easily search for the words we want? If so, that'll definitely bump up my rating.

Bottom line: makes for a decent coffee table book despite the (imo) messiness.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!

I don't think the title quite suits this book, as there was nothing useless about it at all! It was really quite an in depth and thorough exploration of etymology. It isn't something I would sit to read in one go, as it did feel dry in places and contains a lot of information that needs absorbing, but as something to dip into every now and again for reference, it would be an excellent library addition. I especially enjoyed the later chapters related to more whimsical word adventures. An interesting nonfiction title I definitely enjoyed!

The etymology in this book is pretty much, well, useless. But it sure is good for a fun time. And I was able to dazzle my friends with useless bits of trivia.

If you want a book that will offer you virtually nothing of redeeming value, but will make for a good time for a few hours, this is the book for you.

To say that this was a delightful journey through the landscape of the English language would be an understatement. While maintaining a casual—almost conversational—tone, Jess Zafarris introduced and reacquaints readers with the many idiosyncrasies of this language we call our own. This is a delight for fellow wordsmiths and those associated with the English language, and I cannot wait to have a physical copy to flip through time & again!

If you’ve ever questioned why English can feel like a chaotic linguistic puzzle—or if you've simply wondered why we have so many synonyms—this book is your treasure trove (a word that, as Zafarris points out, is literally what “thesaurus” means!).

Zafarris blends historical insight with a conversational tone that makes complex etymologies feel like fun facts you’d want to share at a dinner party. She celebrates the influences of Germanic, Romance, Hellenic, Semitic, African, and Native American languages, reminding us how language is shaped by culture, history, and human creativity.

Whether you're a word nerd, a language lover, or just someone who wants a fresh perspective on the words we use every day, Useless Etymology is a delightful, enlightening read. It made me fall in love with English all over again—and gave me a newfound appreciation for the madness behind the method.

Thank you to John Murray Press | Chambers for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

You ever start to look up something and then that one thing leads to like 16 other links and the next thing you know it’s 24 hours later and you are so deep in a rabbit hole the web page you’re on looks like it was last updated in 1997? This book is that. But with words. And it’s marvelous. You will have all the ammo you need to start any and all conversations with “well, actually” and it will be glorious. What you think you know will be challenged (synergy is an old word!) and words you think are old are in fact, less than 100 years old. The book is formatted incredibly well, and can be consumed in small doses or a sit-down read through.

This is one that I can easily say before I’m even 10% into this book that I will be purchasing a hardbound copy. (Narrator She did in fact pre-order a copy.) This is the absolute perfect book to gift to any word nerd or professional communicator in your life.

Thank you to NetGalley and John Murray Press for this arc!

4/5 stars

I went into this expecting it to be quick one offs of fun words and origins, but this book goes into so much depth! I really enjoyed the section with myths; I’ve definitely heard the sophomore means wise fool and it was fun to learn that’s not entirely the case!

I’ve seen a lot of reviews from people in fields where etymology and linguistics play a big role or are fans of the subjects who think this book is an easy read for those new to the subject. I fit in neither category, I simply picked this book up out of curiosity, so let me give my opinion:

I also agree this is a good introductory read! The author’s voice didn’t feel pretentious and I didn’t feel like I was being talked down to. It’s very lengthy and, obviously, wordy 🤭 so I feel like it’s better suited to be a book you pick up and put down often as opposed to read all in one sitting.

The only thing that held me back was I definitely found myself skimming parts with words I didn’t find interesting. 🤷

Quirky fun book for anyone who is a "why" question asker. This is a great book if you are the friend who has all the useless knowledge

Useless Etymology is one of those books that’s perfect for flipping through on a lazy afternoon with a cup of coffee. Jess Zafarris digs into the weird, surprising, and often hilarious origins of everyday words—and it’s packed with interesting factoids that’ll make you sound way smarter than you actually are at parties.

That said, reading it cover-to-cover in one go can feel a bit like eating an entire bag of chips in one sitting: fun at first, but eventually you hit a wall. It’s definitely better suited as a coffee table book, something to pick up at random and say, “Wait… that’s where that word came from?!”

Overall, it's a fun, quirky read for word nerds and trivia lovers, even if it’s best enjoyed in small bites rather than big gulps.

Great introduction to English linguistics. Reminds me of a course I took at uni. So, it was interesting to refresh my memory while discovering new words explained, especially the more modern ones.
Sometimes, the words seem picked randomly but why not (hence, my 4 stars).
Thanks to NetGalley for the read!

This book is fun and informational. I found myself reciting facts to friends and family shortly after reading. Some chapters I flew through because they were so fascinating. There were parts of the book that felt a little wordy and I realize the irony of saying this about a book about words. Thanks to NetGalley and John Murray Press for the ARC!

Etymology nerds, rejoice! For those of us who hear an interesting word or phrase and can't hit the Google machine fast enough to learn the unique, bizarre, or contentious origins, Useless Etymology is a dream read. I know I'll come back to it again and again.

The formatting of the copy I received did not display very well in the Kindle app. Words were stuck together and line breaks were haphazard. And what’s with the giant feather in an inkwell graphic which dominated pages? This was super annoying. Altho these setbacks made the reading experience unpleasant, I did manage to plough through the ebook bc I do love words and their etymology useless or not.. It’s a dry subject made interesting by the authors thorough research. .