Title & Author: Useless Etymology by Jess Zafarris
Publication Date: 7 October 2025
Score: 98/100
Link: https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/0b5314e4-304a-4c3d-9707-059d102d96cf
Comments: I picked up this book on a whim because it sounded interesting, and I love learning new things. The book explores words and their origins, detailing how they came to be and their histories. While the book is quite wordy (pun intended), the author balances this with humour, making what could be a long, boring read actually engaging and enjoyable.
That said, it’s not a book you should read in one sitting, as it's still quite lengthy. It’s perfect for those who want to learn new words and their histories. I recommend taking your time with it, flipping back and forth as you go through its amazing content.
I can't wait to see what else the author releases, and I’m eager to explore their earlier works because this book was amazing!
Thank you John Murray Press for providing me this book for review consideration via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
