Vandals, Scapegoats, and Bootleggers: The Curious Origins of Everyday Words

Every word has a history—and the best ones are stranger, funnier, and more shocking than you’d ever guess

Think you know the English language? Think again. Behind every familiar word is a tale of history, scandal, or pure absurdity. VANDALS, SCAPEGOATS, AND BOOTLEGGERS is the fascinating follow-up to Andrew Thompson’s bestselling Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red. Once again, Thompson delivers an irresistible collection for trivia lovers, word enthusiasts, and history buffs alike.

Packed with more than 400 fun and educational entries, this new volume explores the unexpected, bizarre, and sometimes hilarious backstories of everyday words we rarely stop to question. From the criminal roots of “bootlegger” and the rebellious origins of “vandal,” to unexpected histories behind words like “quarantine,” “pundit,” “hooligan,” and “scapegoat,” Thompson reveals how historical events, colorful characters, and forgotten customs shaped the language we use today.

Smart, surprising, and endlessly entertaining, VANDALS, SCAPEGOATS, AND BOOTLEGGERS is the perfect book for anyone who enjoys learning something new.