From famous wordsmith Tom Read Wilson comes another breathtaking adventure through the English language. Discover the fascinating origin stories behind the words we use in this delightful follow-up to Every Word Tells a Story.

Did you know, for example, that:

• The word 'astronaut' means 'star sailor' in Ancient Greek?
• Or that the word 'fart' comes from the world's oldest language, Sanskrit, in the form of 'pard'?
• Or, that the word 'volcano' comes from the Roman god of fire Vulcan?

Unlock a whole new side to language in this abundant literary adventure. The etymological route, definition, and word origin are explored for four words from every letter of the alphabet, unlocking over 100 wonderful word tales. One word per letter is brought to even more life with an extended poem that can be read or enjoyed aloud, making this a wonderful book to read alone or share with friends and family.

Every word is paired with timeless, characterful watercolor illustrations by Ian Morris. Wonderful Words to Tell a Tale is a journey into the English language through beautiful stories and artwork, a venture to be dipped into and enjoyed over and over again.

Tom Read Wilson is here to take us on a rip-roaring tour through some of the most astonishing and amusing words in the English language with Every Word Tells a Story.

See how the English language evolved in this extraordinary exploration of the origins of everyday words. Full of funny stories and fascinating facts, Tom Read Wilson knows even the most ordinary-sounding word can have the most surprising story behind it!

Did you know, for instance, that:

• The word 'bloomers' comes from Amelia Bloomer, who was a women's rights activist and owner and editor of the first U.S. newspaper edited by and for women, who wanted to move more freely in her knickers?
• Or that the word 'daisy' comes from the Old English d ges eage, meaning 'day's eye', because the petals of a daisy open at dawn and close at dusk?
• The word 'easel' comes from the Dutch word 'ezel', meaning donkey, because both are depenable and suitable for carrying a load?
• Or that English nicknames for police officers, 'bobbies' and 'peelers', both come from the names of Sir Robert Peel, British prime minister in the 1800s and creator of the first modern police force?

Paired with beautiful, characterful illustrations by Ian Morris, Every Word Tells a Story is a perfect book for young wordsmiths, encouraging kids and adults alike to have fun whilst learning about language.

Navigate every situation in modern life with eloquence and grace with this curated list of words featuring witty analysis of their origins, meanings, and practical applications.

In On the Tip of My Tongue, logophile and television star Tom Read Wilson takes a delicious dive into the etymology and usage of all kinds of words, euphemisms, and bon mots.

Divided into sections spanning dating, personal development, show business, compliments, curses, complaining without being a Karen, and more, discover words and phrases like:

• Companion: Panis is the Latin root meaning bread. At first glance, companion seems to be no companion of our root. However, etymologically, we have a person one breaks bread with. Companion, as we use it today, may seem adrift from its root but it is not the only word that metamorphosed, over time, from mere dining partner to chum: Mate comes from the Old English mete, which once meant all food - not just animal flesh. So your mate was the person with whom you shared your meat. Isn't that lovely?

• I have become the Bayeux Tapestry: There are, naturally, occasions - though they are of course rare - where one is just too tired to attend a party. Tired, fatigued, flat, all sound so beige and drear-full that I always find myself leaning toward euphemism instead. My favourite is threadbare. However, sometimes even threadbare gets a bit threadbare so I plump for the most famous of all threadbare pieces to demonstrate the point.

• JOMO: Acronyms tend to be quite bold. The reduction of a phrase to single initials is often an endeavour to soften it while retaining your core assertion. Acronyms remove the sting. Somehow, telling your chum that you experienced JOMO missing that dinner party when you were rather threadbare is a lot more innocuous than saying you felt the Joy Of Missing Out, which I experience a great deal more than its counterpart, FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out).

With Tom's wit and lifelong love of words by your side, you'll never be lost for words again, whether you are trying to understand the many metaphors for sex or trying to tell your mother you love her.

This is a delightful and hilarious etymological solution to the Dear Mary dilemmas and conundrums of modern life and a must-read for every budding vocabularian.