My Books

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“Words The Vikings Gave Us” (2021) takes a light-hearted look at the horde of words the English dictionary stole from the Vikings. From akimbo to yule Old Norse merged with Anglo-Saxon to form the start of the English language.

This book, the second in the series, explores the Viking history of words like kiss, ombudsman, bluetooth, frisbee, thing, and hustings. More than 300 words and phrases are featured – drawn from ship life, Viking food, farming, norse romance, myths, politics, modern Vikings, anatomy, place names, daily life, and of course how to fight like a Viking. It’s time to set sail in your longship. Horned helmet optional.

Ideal for word geeks, history buffs, and anybody who’s ever longed to throw an axe.

Out now in paperback & ebook editions

Available now in ebook format (c. $2.99)

Add it to your “Want to Read” list on Goodreads. It’s also available from your local library – request it from your librarian or read the digital edition using the Overdrive, and Libby library apps.

Modern Words Try 1 - 1

“Modern Words with Old Roots” (2022). After four books, fourteen years of weekly articles, a radio show, and more dictionaries than you can throw a hat at, Wordfoolery takes a lighthearted look at the astonishingly ancient history of a hand-picked selection of 50 modern words from avatar to zarf.

It’s time to login (inspired by an actual piece of wood), open your kindle (inspired by Vikings), forget about the latest world crisis (thanks to an ancient Greek doctor), skip the doomscrolling (with a nod to William the Conqueror), and set off in hot pursuit (from the Age of Sail) of some juicy language fact hunting. You may be surprised by what you discover.

Words change constantly, acquiring new meanings, and finding fans in new generations. This digital exclusive book rejoices in their evolution.

Ideal for word geeks, history buffs, and anybody who’s ever wondered about the roots of the latest trendy word in the dictionary.

Out now in ebook only

Add it to your “Want to Read” list on Goodreads.

“Words The Sea Gave Us” (2020) is a light-hearted look at the words the English dictionary borrowed from the sea. From baggywinkle and gollywobbler to tempest and flotsam, the sea in all her moods has given a boatload of words to the English language throughout history. This book explores their origins along with a cargo of old sailor’s yarns. Cast your line for the salty history of skyscraper, mollgogger, strike, cyber, and phrases like getting hitched, red herring, hot pursuit, and taking them down a peg.

More than 370 words and phrases are featured from above board to yardarm – drawn from parts of a ship, sail names, crew titles, surfer slang, marine monsters, nautical navigation, flying the flag, and of course, how to talk like a scurvy pirate. Throw in some sea fables, fashions, and weather and you’re ready to set sail.

Previous nautical experience not required.

Ideal for word geeks, sailors, and beachcombers.

Available now in paperback

Available now in ebook format (all around $2.99)

Add it to your “Want to Read” list on Goodreads. It’s also available from your local library – just request the paperback from your librarian or read the digital edition using the overdrive and libby library apps.

Reviews

“A fantastic achievement” Joe Duffy, Liveline, RTÉ Radio One

“This would be a great gift for someone who likes sailing … or cooking … or Star Trek … because it explains, among other things, how so many different words are are related. I just bought it today and have already learned at least six things I didn’t know before.” D Thomas

“Will help you to talk like a pirate or can help a land-lubber talk like a sailor. The etymology of each word or phrase is explained in short, interesting snippets and interspersed with a dry wit.” S McDevitt

“A whole archipelago of word histories, in categories including pirates, surfer slang, and sea monsters. She writes with aplomb, extensive knowledge, and the occasional dash of droll humor.” R Ellrod

Listen to Grace talk about “Words The Sea Gave Us”

Bunny Trails podcast, RTÉ Radio One’s Seascapes, LMFM with Sinead Brassil, LiveLine with Joe Duffy on RTÉ Radio One.

“How to Get Your Name in the Dictionary” (2018) is a light-hearted look at the lives of the soldiers, inventors, style icons, and villains who gave their names to the English language as eponyms. From atlas to zeppelin English is full of words named for Greek gods, explorers, serious scientists, and crafty chefs. These heroes and heroines, scattered through world history, all did something extraordinary to squeeze their name into the dictionary, and this book celebrates their biographies.

More than 260 eponyms are featured across subjects as diverse as food, Irish history, calendars, hats, inventions, words named after places, Greek gods, military history, politics, astronomy, fashion, popular phrases, villains, science, and a selection of eponyms which simply defy categorisation.

Ideal for word geeks, history lovers, and biography buffs.

Available now in paperback

Available now in ebook format (all around $2.99)

Serialised Books

“Hamster Stew & Other Stories”

“Hamster Stew & Other Stories” is a diary-style comedy serial about the adventures of an Irish mom, Trish McTaggart, struggling with her teenage son, a scary ten year old daughter, and an out of control life which lurches from disaster to chaos. All she wants is a part-time job, more passion with her Scottish husband, and hands-off mother-in-law but life, and her daughter, are conspiring against her dreams. Perhaps the lessons her friend is giving her in “how to say no” will help?

Available on Channillo, the subscription reading platform. First chapter is free here.

“Nit Roast & Other Stories”

“Nit Roast & Other Stories” is a first person, diary-style comedy serial about the adventures of an Irish mom.

Trish McTaggart’s family life is a mess. Her diary holds her worries – an animal-obsessed daughter, a teen son drinking, an absent-minded husband, and a local parent who’s out to get her. Building her new sewing business will be the easy part this year. This is a sequel to “Hamster Stew & Other Stories”.

Available on Channillo, the subscription reading platform. First chapter is free here.

“The Librarian’s Secret Diary”

Nina is the new librarian on the block. She’s learning the shelves with her buzzword-spouting boss and the senior librarian who hates reading and can’t wait to retire. She records the crazy reader requests and the knitting group in-fighting in her secret diary while trying to get the printer to work, flirting with the inter-library-loan guy, and struggling to discover why their romance books are acquiring red pen marks on page five.

Available on Channillo, the subscription reading platform. First chapter is free here.

More Books Coming Soon

“Words Christmas Gave Us”, my fourth book in the Words series, is coming in 2023. Pre-orders will be announced here.

 

 

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