The Unexpected Evolution of Language - Justin Cord Hayes - A Short Summary and Review

The Unexpected Evolution of Language: Discover the Surprising Etymology of Everyday Words - Justin Cord Hayes - A Short Summary and Review

By: a.d. elliott | Take the Back Roads - Art and Other Odd Adventures

A Rite of Fancy Book Recommendation and Review

Where the words we love to misuse and the story behind their definitions.

A short summary:

The Unexpected Evolution of Language by Justin Cord Hayes explores how words change over time, often in ways that surprise, frustrate, or amuse us. Rather than treating language as fixed or prescriptive, Hayes shows it to be a living system, shaped by culture, misuse, misunderstanding, and necessity.

Through engaging examples, the book traces how familiar words drift from their original meanings, acquire new connotations, or are retroactively misunderstood. Hayes also examines how context matters deeply: meanings that were once precise can become distorted when modern readers apply contemporary definitions to historical texts.

Ultimately, the book invites readers to think more carefully about language—not to police it, but to understand it more fully.

My favorite quote from the book:

"English is the mutt, the Heinz 57, the bastard child of every language that came before it."

- Justin Cord Hayes, The Unexpected Evolution of Language

Questions to ponder while reading:

Did you realize how close Old English was to Latin?

Which do you prefer to study, etymology or entomology?

My review of the book:

This book is a whole lot of nerdy word fun, in the best possible way.

Hayes blends etymology, history, and cultural context into an accessible and engaging read that never feels academic or dry. Each chapter feels like a miniature revelation, reminding readers just how slippery and fascinating language really is.

One of the book’s strongest contributions is its emphasis on historical accuracy. It serves as a helpful reminder that words must be interpreted within their proper time and place, a lesson that’s invaluable for historians, readers of classic literature, and anyone who enjoys precise thinking.

Smart, playful, and quietly instructive, The Unexpected Evolution of Language deepens appreciation for words without taking the joy out of their everyday use.

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About the Author
a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller traveling through life

She shares her journeys at Take the Back Roads, explores new reads at Rite of Fancy, and highlights U.S. military biographies at Everyday Patriot.

You can also browse her online photography gallery at shop.takethebackroads.com.

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