The Lost Beauties of the English Language

If you love languages in general, the English language in particular, and etymology as a pastime, you will adore this mid-nineteenth century work by the author of Extaordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds. Lost Beauties is like Extraordinary Popular Delusions in that it needn't be read at a sitting; these are books for browsing. You will find Anglo-Saxon rooted words for which you know no English or other cognate - these are truly lost. You will find others that have found their way back into current English, sometimes with a meaning that has been a bit twisted. Most interestingly, you will find pieces of modern words. For example, we currently use the word "reckless," but we have lost the English root "reck." Hours and hours of "aha" moments. Recommended with abandon.