Phrases and Names, Their Origins and Meanings

"Phrases and Names, Their Origins and Meanings" by Trench H. Johnson is a reference guide from the early 1900s that investigates where different sayings and place names came from, along with what they signify. The book is useful for those who are interested in language, cultural history, and how language has changed throughout the years. The beginning of the book shows Johnson's goals to explain the beginnings of many familiar words and proper names because there was nothing like it at the time. He focuses on presenting straightforward information and facts rather than making things up, with the goal of developing a tool that will satisfy curiosity about language and history. In the introduction, Johnson considers why individuals are drawn to finding out the meanings behind names, locations, and common phrases, implying that these words enable an understanding of the cultural and historical settings from which they originate.