Etymologies

A poetry collection that playfully questions the meanings of words.

Walter Ancarrow's collection Etymologies considers language as a process, rather than as a singular fixed history. These poems build imaginative worlds with a variety of creative word uses. They form a playful amalgamation of linguistic interpretations that flips and questions conventional narratives about word origins--including the idea that clear origins even exist. Throughout the collection, Ancarrow questions the intent of writers who use etymology in attempts to prove a specific meaning for any word. In so doing, Etymologies pays particular attention to relationships between the cultures and conflicts, the migrations and hegemonies, that create our words, and it considers how their meanings are furthered by us as we keep them alive through speech.

Etymologies won Omnidawn's 2021 Open Poetry Book Prize, selected by John Yau.

Author: Walter Ancarrow
Publisher: Omnidawn
Published: 05/06/2023
Pages: 71
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.17lbs
Size: 8.80h x 5.80w x 0.30d
ISBN13: 9781632431134
ISBN10: 1632431130
BISAC Categories:
- Poetry | Subjects & Themes | Places
- Poetry | American | General

About the Author
Walter Ancarrow lives in New York City and Alexandria, Egypt. His work has been published in Poetry, Tinderbox, Avery Shorts, Folder, Apogee, and American Arts Quarterly, among others.