Can I recommend The Mother Tongue: English & How It Got That Way by Bill Bryson. Amazon Price: $11.20 Very interesting about the 'superstitions' (split infinitives, etc.). Also good section on the divergence between UK and USA English, including neologisms which did not catch on. Also a very funny read in places. Jim Roberts ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).