Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable
Books / Hardcover
Books › Reference › Quotations
ISBN: 0198609817 / Publisher: Oxford University Press, November 2005
The real stories behind names and sayings, whether in classic literature or today's news, are offered in this reference in which entries identify thousands of people, places, expressions, and specialized terms from throughout the world, along with lists of related items that are considered as part of a group, and celebrated dying words.
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What is a ham-and-egger? What are Anglo-Saxon attitudes? Who or what is liable to jump the shark? Who first tried to nail jelly to the wall? The answers to these and many more questions are in this fascinating book. Here in one volume you can track down the stories behind the names and sayings you meet, whether in classic literature or today's news. This authoritative dictionary draws on Oxford's unrivalled bank of reference and language online resources to cover classical and other mythologies, history, religion, folk customs, superstitions, science and technology, philosophy, and popular culture. Extensive cross referencing makes it easy to trace specific information, while every page points to further paths to explore. What is the fog of war? Who first wanted to spend more time with one's family? When was the Dreamtime? How long since the first cry of Women and children first? Where might you find dark matter? Would you want the Midas touch? Should you worry about grey goo?
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