Dictionary of Proverbs: And Their Origins

by Linda Flavell (Author), RogerFlavell (Author)

• Used

  Paperback
  2008

  $4.05

  Did you know that 'if the cap fits' refers to the traditional jester's cap with bells on it - so anyone wearing such a cap could be expected to do something foolish? Or that the ancient Greeks believed that it was camels rather than elephants that never forgot? The Spanish writer Cervantes defined a proverb as 'a short sentence drawn from long experience' and Linda and Roger Flavell trace the origins of over 400 of these invaluable pieces of wisdom. The entries are interspersed with mini-essays on such diverse subjects as The Proverbial Cynic and When there's a R in the Month. The result is essential reading for anyone who delights in words.

• Used

  Paperback
  2000

  $3.28

  In this reference text, Linda and Roger Flavell trace the origins and histories of over 400 proverbs, detailing the changes of meaning and usage that have occurred throughout each proverb's life and offering literary examples dating back over 2000 years. Entries have been selected because they have a tale to tell and because they are pithily phrased and offer, as Cervantes put it, short sentences drawn from long experience.