Oxford Dictionary of Phrase, Saying, & Quotation

by SusanRatcliffe (Editor)

• Used

  Hardcover
  2006

  $3.25

  A rich profusion of proverbs, phrases, and quotations, arranged under a wide range of subjects, make this book the ideal place to look for an apt or pithy expression, or to explore the background of an extensive selection of related sayings and phrases. This new edition of an Oxford classic traces the links between treasured sayings in our language, and explains their varied origins. For the first time, Oxford's unique language research has identified proverbs from non-Western languages newly adopted into English, and these are featured joining a cornucopia of well-chosen words from Biblical times to the present day. A full keyword index and generous cross referencing allow the book to function both as a look-up resource and a browser's delight. a firebell in the night. - Phrase from Thomas Jefferson on Danger Do not call a wolf to help you against the dogs. - Russian proverb on Enemies Select a proper site for your garden and half your work is done. - Chinese proverb on Gardens Don't sell the skin till you have caught the bear. - English proverb on Optimism Whoever commands the sea...commands the riches of the world.- Walter Ralegh on The Sea A seed hidden in the heart of an apple is an orchard invisible. - Welsh proverb on Trees The weather is like the Government, always in the wrong. - Jerome K. Jerome on The Weather

• Used

  Paperback
  1997

  $4.20

  This dictionary, which is a companion volume to the Oxford Dictionary of Quotations , brings together over 10,000 quotations, proverbs, and phrases, in an easy to use browsable format. Over 350 diverse themes have been chosen, with the aim of covering as broad a range of topics as possible, for example, actors and acting, animals, bores and boredom, elections, food and drink, kissing, madness, the past, schools, science, taxes, virtue, the weather, and youth. A selection of chronologically arranged quotations appears under each theme, supported wherever possible by interrelated proverbs and phrases which throw further light on the topic. To clarify the terminology used, a quotation has broadly been defined as something traceable back to a single utterance at a given instance; proverbs are seen as embodying an essential truth, likely to have been coined by different people at different times; phrases are taken to be a group of words (not a sentence) with a particular meaning . To aid understanding of the material, explanatory notes are given wherever this is felt to be useful, and cross-references take the reader to other relevant themes in the text. In addition to finding material under a particular theme, readers can also consult two different indexes, one organized by author and one by keyword.

• Used

  Hardcover
  2002

  $3.25

  This brand new edition of a favourite Oxford classic brings together well-chosen words from across the centuries on a broad range of subjects, from Absence to Youth. New themes such as Computers and the Internet ('It's not a bug, it's a feature') have been added, and coverage of traditional topics has been extended. Each theme uniquely offers the reader their pick of phrases, sayings, and quotations on a given subject, and explores the links between individual items. A new design and layout adds clarity and accessibility. A full keyword index, and generous cross-referencing, allow the book to function both as a look-up resource and a browser's delight. Richer and more diverse than ever, the second edition of the Oxford Dictionary of Phrase, Saying, and Quotation is the ultimate book to answer the question, 'What's been said about that ?' Phrases the beautiful game (Football) the big tent (Political Parties) green-eyed monster (Envy and Jealousy) It girl (Women) stolen generation (Australia) too clever by half (Intelligence) Sayings Better to have lived one day as a tiger than a thousand years as a sheep (Heroes) The Devil is in the details (Order and Chaos) An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind (Revenge) It's not a bug, it's a feature (Computers and the Internet) It's life, Jim, but not as we know it (The Paranormal) Quotations: Wine is for drinking and enjoying, talking about it is deadly dull. (Jancis Robinson on Alcohol) If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe. (Carl Sagan, Causes and Consequences) Quality time? There's always another load of washing. (Julian Barnes on Child Care) A dog in the home is a piece of moving furniture. (Philippe de Rothschild on Dogs) I grew up in Europe, where the history comes from. (Eddie Izzard on Europe) I love fishing. It's like transcendental meditation with a punch-line. (Billy Connolly on Fishing) I have gazed on the face of Agamemnon (Heinrich Schliemann on The Past) It's like trying to hang on to a telegraph pole in an earthquake [90 feet up the mast of her boat Kingfisher] (Ellen MacArthur on The Sea).