A Word for All Seasons

Even the weather has an etymology.

You know what a spring chicken is. But how did it wander into the conversation? In A Word for All Seasons, language writer and broadcaster David Crystal, honorary professor of linguistics at Bangor University and author of Bookish Words, follows the words and phrases that have grown around the turning year. From dog days and silly season to wassail, Hogmanay and Snowtober, familiar expressions become little mysteries, with histories that reach well beyond the weather forecast.

Historical origins, changing meanings and unexpected everyday uses sit alongside poetry and engravings by Eric Ravilious (1903–1942), the British painter, book illustrator and accomplished wood engraver known for his depictions of south-east England. It also detours into the names of months and the folklore names of moons. Dip in for one explanation and emerge several entries later, newly equipped to make small talk considerably less small.

Details

• Published by the Bodleian Library
• Written by David Crystal
• Features engravings by Eric Ravilious
• Hardback, 248 pages
• Explores more than 100 seasonal words and phrases, with historical origins and examples of current usage
• Includes idioms and extracts from poetry
• Appendices cover month-name etymologies and folklore names for moons
• Published September 2026

Perfect for

• Word lovers who can’t hear an unusual expression without wondering where it came from
• Readers fascinated by the folklore and language of the changing seasons
• Etymology enthusiasts who enjoy following a familiar phrase into unexpected history