Book description
We like to recount that goodbye started out as "god be with you," that whiskey comes from the Gaelic for "water of life," or that avocado originated as the Aztec word for "testicle." But there are many words with origins unknown, disputed, or so buried in old journals that they may as well be lost to the general public. In Origin Uncertain: Unraveling the Mysteries of Etymology, eminent etymologist Anatoly Liberman draws on his professional expertise and etymological database to tell the stories of less understood words such as nerd, fake, ain't, hitchhike, trash, curmudgeon, and quiz, as well as puzzling idioms like kick the bucket and pay through the nose. By casting a net so broadly, the book addresses language history, language usage (including grammar), history (both ancient and modern), religion, superstitions, and material culture. Writing in the spirit of adventure through the annals of word origins, Liberman also shows how historical linguists construct etymologies, how to evaluate competing explanations, and how to pursue further research.
Twinkle
This app's features, from bookmarking to customizable playback speed, are fantastic. This app's support for various formats has made my audiobook collection even more diverse and exciting. This app's convenience has turned me into an avid audiobook listener. The tone adjustment feature in ListenBook Pro is a novel addition that allows me to personalize my audiobook experience.
Master Jetson
Audiobook journey simplified β this app's functionality is a wonderful surprise. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. I can focus on challenging content. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night. This audiobook was a fantastic listen! The narrator's voice was clear and engaging, making it easy to follow along. The pacing was just rightβnot too fast, not too slow. Perfect for long commutes or relaxing at home. Highly recommend!
Snow Pharaoh
This app has turned long waits into exciting opportunities to dive into a new story. I can't imagine my day without a dose of literature from this app. πΆββοΈπ§ Enjoying the great outdoors while immersing myself in fantastic tales β walking never felt this magical! ποΈπ Absolutely in love with this audiobook app! The seamless functionality and easy navigation make my reading time pure bliss. ππ§ This audiobook made my workouts fly by! The engaging narration kept me motivated to keep listening, which meant longer gym sessions. The narrator's energy matched the material perfectly - upbeat when needed, somber when appropriate. A great example of how narration can enhance text.
Tunez
is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and efficient. CUE playlist support helps me organize my audiobooks efficiently. It's a great organizational tool. Highly engaging! The combination of a well-written story and skilled narration made this audiobook hard to pause. I finished it much faster than I expected because I just couldnβt stop listening.
Baby Spell
I love that I can switch between devices seamlessly and continue where I left off. I'm discovering books I wouldn't have considered before, and my reading horizons are expanding. ListenBook's clean interface and organized layout make it a pleasure to browse through my audiobooks. The range of supported formats is impressive. No more converting files!
Street Jolly
This app is perfect for audiobook lovers. The interface is beautiful and easy to navigate. The appβs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Little General
With this app, I've found a way to make long flights and road trips more enjoyable and enlightening. I love the auto-rewind feature after interruptions. No more searching for where I left off! I've recommended ListenBook to all my fellow bookworms. It's a true companion for audiobook lovers. Noise reduction and tone changing enhance the listening experience. Love it! The app is perfect for multitaskers. I can listen while working out.
Round Kick Boomer
The sheer variety of genres available ensures there's something for everyone. The noise reduction feature on ListenBook Pro is a godsend for clear and comfortable listening. This app has made long flights and road trips so much more enjoyable.
Bad Princess
π My audiobook haven β this app is like a door to endless adventures and knowledge! ππ What a fantastic listening experience! The narrator brought the characters to life with distinct voices and emotional depth. The pacing was perfect - not too fast to lose details, not too slow to become boring. I particularly appreciated how well the narrator conveyed the atmosphere of key scenes.
InsightfulInk
I'm blown away by the quality of narration on this app β it's like being in the story. πΆββοΈπ Strolling through stories on a lazy afternoon β this app is my relaxation buddy! ποΈπ§ The app's interface is so sleek and modern. It's a joy to use. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fantastic way to introduce them to captivating stories. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks, and this one stands out for its professional quality. The narrator struck the ideal balance between dramatic interpretation and letting the text speak for itself. The audio engineering was superb with consistent volume levels and crystal-clear recording.
101
This app has transformed my daily walks into insightful journeys of knowledge β talk about efficiency! Tone adjustment is such a unique feature. It's like customizing the narrator's voice. Automated artwork and metadata extraction keeps my audiobook library visually appealing.
Little General
With ListenBook, my iPhone and iPad have become a gateway to a world of captivating stories. π₯ Simplifying my reading routine β the app's functionality ensures I'm always one click away from literary adventures. ππ Library organization has never been this easy. My audiobook collection is finally tidy. Looping playback and shuffle features keep my audiobook sessions engaging and fresh. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
D-Hog-Day
ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options are essential for my audiobook enjoyment and study. The compatibility with Apple Watch is a game-changer. Controlling my audiobooks from my wrist is genius. This app has transformed my daily commute into a captivating journey of knowledge and entertainment.
Bruh
No more fighting over the radio during family trips β we're all hooked on audiobooks now. I'm amazed at how immersive the experience is β it's like being inside the story. The app is perfect for people who love to read but donβt have the time.
Hobo Samurai
I'm thrilled to finally have a way to enjoy books while keeping up with my busy schedule. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go.
Danger Menace
π± Unlocking the world of literature with just a tap β this app is my digital library card! ππ± The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze. The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Super Flick
I've never been this excited about my daily commute β thank you, audiobooks! As a language enthusiast, this app has been a fantastic tool for learning new languages. πΆπ My new soundtrack? Audiobooks, of course! This app makes every day musical. π§πΆ Love how I can adjust playback speed and audio volume. ListenBook caters to all my needs. The app is worth every penny. Itβs packed with features and works flawlessly.
Flyswat Briggs
I've become a more attentive listener thanks to the engaging audiobooks. This app's playback controls and features make it a breeze to customize my listening experience. This app has become my go-to for audiobooks, adding a layer of convenience and enjoyment to my days.
Lucifurious
ListenBook Pro's sharing features allow me to spread the joy of audiobooks with my friends and family. The layout is not only beautiful but also intuitive. Controls are easy to access. Apple Watch compatibility adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook enjoyment. It's seamless control at my wrist. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It eliminates distractions and enhances the clarity of recordings, resulting in a more immersive experience. Perfect for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful app.
Voluntary
The sound quality is outstanding β it's like having a movie theater in my ears! The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that makes a big difference. It enhances my listening experience. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience