description Charles Earle Funk Overview
Charles Earle Funk was an American lexicographer and member of the family associated with the Funk & Wagnalls publishing company. He wrote books explaining the histories of familiar words, phrases, and idioms for general readers, including A Hog on Ice and Other Curious Expressions. His work is distinguished by its accessible treatment of etymology rather than the formal compilation of a single comprehensive dictionary.
help Charles Earle Funk FAQ
Who was Charles Earle Funk?
Charles Earle Funk was an American lexicographer associated with the Funk & Wagnalls publishing family. He wrote accessible books explaining unusual words, phrases, and idioms.
What is A Hog on Ice and Other Curious Expressions?
A Hog on Ice and Other Curious Expressions is one of Funk’s best-known books. It explains the histories and meanings behind familiar expressions that are not always obvious from their literal wording.
How did Charles Earle Funk make lexicography accessible?
He presented word histories and idioms for general readers rather than limiting his work to academic dictionaries. His books use curiosity about everyday language as the entry point to historical explanation.
What publishing company was connected with Charles Earle Funk?
He belonged to the family associated with Funk & Wagnalls, a major American reference publisher. That background placed his writing within a long-running tradition of dictionaries and language books.
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