I'm reading Studies in Words by C.S. Lewis.

The author presents an interesting look at the evolution of the use of certain words. The greatest interest for me is the pressures that he describes as shaping words. Over time, words that began as strictly descriptive take on tones of judgment. The desire to make good/evil distinctions begins to take over. Also the desire for specificity. Words that had broad meaning are narrowed until we use them only in specific circumstances. For an example, to be frank is to be fearlessly honest. In the past that was only one, self-described attribute of the entire ethnic group of the Franks who migrated into France during the middle-ages.

Knowing Latin might have eased my learning the history of some words, but thus far I don't think I'm missing anything important. Halfway done.