Contemporary English

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This book is written primarily for foreign students and teachers of English. That purpose governs the whole presentment and organization of the material and the type of explanation offered. To my own fellow countrymen it may, at the highest reckoning, offer a means of bringing to the surface hidden memories of curious and amusing words. Probably it brings them little that is new, but it may stimulate them to seek out and regroup their own linguistic experiences. In fifty years' time the work might even claim the atten tion of the English philologist, whom it will provide with a certain amount of dated material for his historical inductions. For the present its mission is more humble and more practical. The first idea that such a collection as the present might not be unwelcome, lowe to Professor Jespersen whose kindness in looking through the first draft and suggesting improvements I acknowledge with deep grati tude. Mr. Bradley and Mr. Hutton, both of the Liver pool University Library, have unselfishly given me the benefit of their sharp eyes and wide reading; a number of their proposed emendations and additions have been gratefully embodied. My special thanks are due to Dr. Hittmair of the University of Innsbruck, whose encouragement and ungrudging help have throughout been of the greatest value to me. Finally I feel I must express my gratitude to the firm of Teubner for its care in preparing my MS.