Overview

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

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9780192806505

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Reviews

A smartly updated collection of important expressions....different iterations of the same locution are listed, semantically analyzed as needed, and placed in historical relationship. Such depth of treatment is typical of the book and extremely illuminating for the reader....covers the most important concepts with authority and incorporates a great deal of contemporary material....In short, ODPSQ is authoritative, up-to-date, easy to navigate, and filled with helpful supporting information. It makes an excellent source for both the casual browser and the writer or researcher. --Joanne Despres, Dictionaries: Journal of the Dictionary Society of North America<br>

<br> A smartly updated collection of important expressions....different iterations of the same locution are listed, semantically analyzed as needed, and placed in historical relationship. Such depth of treatment is typical of the book and extremely illuminating for the reader....covers the most important concepts with authority and incorporates a great deal of contemporary material....In short, ODPSQ is authoritative, up-to-date, easy to navigate, and filled with helpful supporting information. It makes an excellent source for both the casual browser and the writer or researcher. --Joanne Despres, Dictionaries: Journal of the Dictionary Society of North America<br>

A smartly updated collection of important expressions....different iterations of the same locution are listed, semantically analyzed as needed, and placed in historical relationship. Such depth of treatment is typical of the book and extremely illuminating for the reader....covers the most important concepts with authority and incorporates a great deal of contemporary material....In short, ODPSQ is authoritative, up-to-date, easy to navigate, and filled with helpful supporting information. It makes an excellent source for both the casual browser and the writer or researcher. --Joanne Despres, Dictionaries: Journal of the Dictionary Society of North America A smartly updated collection of important expressions....different iterations of the same locution are listed, semantically analyzed as needed, and placed in historical relationship. Such depth of treatment is typical of the book and extremely illuminating for the reader....covers the most important concepts with authority and incorporates a great deal of contemporary material....In short, ODPSQ is authoritative, up-to-date, easy to navigate, and filled with helpful supporting information. It makes an excellent source for both the casual browser and the writer or researcher. --Joanne Despres, Dictionaries: Journal of the Dictionary Society of North America

Author Information

Susan Ratcliffe is an Associate Editor for Oxford Quotations Dictionaries, and has previously edited the Concise Oxford Dictionary of Quotations, the Little Oxford Dictionary of Quotations, and Oxford Quotations by Subject.

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