> samhael and wintermute touched on the
> interesting topic of language history about a
> week back (their posts can be found here,
> http://www.rinkworks.com/rinkforum/message
> s/52599.shtml , and here,
> http://www.rinkworks.com/rinkforum/message
> s/52714.shtml). This is a topic I have a great
> deal of interest in, but know little about. Even
> though you guys didn't SOUND like you were
> talking out of your bums, no one seemed
> willing to cite any sources for their information.
> So, if anyone else has any suggestions for
> thorough, well-written books on the topic, I
> would much appreciate it.
>
> Thanks,
> Dagmar

Try this for a breif history of English

Dix"still going nughhhh with Old English"ie