Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable is one of the world's best-loved reference books. First published in 1870, this treasury of 'words that have a story to tell' has established itself as one of the great reference classics—the first port of call for tens of thousands of terms, phrases and proper names, and a fund of fascinating, unusual and out-of-the-way information.
At the heart of the dictionary lie entries on the meaning and origin of a vast range of words and expressions, from everyday English phrases to Latin tags. Alongside these are articles on people and events in mythology and religion, and on folk customs, superstitions and beliefs. Major events and people in history are also treated, as are movements in art and literature, famous literary characters, and key aspects of popular culture, philosophy, geography, science and magic. To complete this rich mix of information, Brewer and his subsequent editors have added an extraordinary and enticing miscellany of general knowledge—lists of patron saints, terms in heraldry, regimental nicknames, public house names, the principal English horse-races and famous last words.
For the Seventeenth Edition of Brewer's the entire existing text has been revised and updated and more than 1500 new articles added. These include:
<ul>
<li>words and phrases (best thing since sliced bread, bling, where the bodies are buried);</li>
<li>characters and places from fantasy literature and film (Gollum, Hogwarts, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Voldemort);</li>
<li>political, celebrity and sporting nicknames (Butcher of Baghdad; Dubya);</li>
<li>miscellaneous arcana (Chorasmian Waste, dilligrout, dwile flonking).</li>
</ul>
This first new Brewer's of the 21st century maintains and respects the book's 135-year-old tradition, while offering a wealth of fascinating new material to reflect the 'phrase and fable' of a changing world.

Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, Seventeenth Edition

Literature & Fiction

Ayto, John

History & Criticism

Collins Reference

An engaging insight into the origins of the everyday language we use. It provides additional language support and information through funny and absorbing word histories, feature entries on especially curious words, and a full thematic section on words from the worlds of food, fashion, dinosaur names, invented and onomatopoeic words, and much more.

Oxford School Dictionary of Word Origins

Children's Books

Education & Reference

Oxford University Press

From Angels on Horseback to Zabaglione, this lively and authoritative guide presents the meaning, origin, and development of more than 1,200 food and beverage terms. "Stuffed with delightful morsels in a digestible form."--Independent.

A Gourmet's Guide: Food and Drink From A to Z (Oxford Quick Reference)

Cookbooks, Food & Wine

Cooking Education & Reference

Highly readable and lively, The Oxford Dictionary of Rhyming Slang is the ultimate guide to this perennially captivating subject. This new volume charts the 150-year history of rhyming slang from its origins in 19th century cockney rhyming slang to modern popney rhyming slang. Unlike other dictionaries of its kind, The Oxford Dictionary of Rhyming Slang is organized thematically, with slang words gathered under headings such as "food and drink," "sex," "clothing," and "illness." Illustrating how rich and entertaining a language form it is, author John Ayto provides extensive examples and explores the range and development of rhyming slang throughout its history. From "silver spoon" (moon) to "alligator" (later) to "Jack and Jill" (hill), this reference is an authoritative and up-to-date guide to this colorful corner of language.

The Oxford Dictionary of Rhyming Slang

Reference

Dictionaries & Thesauruses

Seasoned throughout with literary wit and wisdom, this veritable feast of gastronomic words and phrases traces the origins and history of over 1,200 English terms for foodstuffs, dishes, and drinks. Previously published as The Diner's Dictionary and Gourmet's Guide, this includes hundreds of illuminating quotations, ranging from the French writer, Misson, on seventeenth-century puddings, to Anthony Burgess on eating durians. Tuck into foods and drinks named after their place of origin, such as stilton, cheddar, or Dublin Bay prawns. Get your teeth stuck into such eponymous fruits and vegetables as Cox's Orange Pippin and Webb's Wonder. Or whet your appetite with wines named after their grape, including cabernet sauvignon and riesling. The book also covers the terminology of foreign cuisine that has become popular in Britain, such as Italian ciabatta. This edition also features a new introduction by Alan Davidson, author of theOxford Companion to Food.

An A to Z of Food and Drink

Oxford Univ. Pr.

An A-Z of Food &amp; Drink is an invaluable reference tool--and cookbook supplement--for anybody who cooks, or simply loves food. From Arugula to Zabaglione this veritable feast of gastronomic words and phrases presents the meaning, origin, and development of over 1,200 food and drink terms. Savor foods and drinks named after their place of origin, such as Cheddar, Stilton, and Dublin Bay prawns. Sink your teeth into the etymology of lasagna. Or whet your appetite with wines named after their grape, including Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling. Seasoned throughout with literary wit and wisdom, An A-Z of Food &amp; Drink also includes hundreds of illuminating quotations on food--meaty enough to spark discussions in the kitchen and light enough to enjoy from your armchair.

An A-Z of Food & Drink

In Twentieth Century Words, lexicographer John Ayto takes us on an exhilarating tour of our century, charting it decade by decade by way of the words we've coined to mark our passage through time. Ayto looks at some 5,000 words and meanings, from "flapper" to "flower power" to "road rage." We learn the birth dates of words such as "movie" (1910s), "barbecue" (1930s), Beatlemania (1960s), and "foodie" (1980s). Ayto also treats us to many surprises as well. Did you know, for instance, that "atomic energy" was coined in the 1900s, "rocket ship" in the 1920s, "hologram" in the '40s, and "modem" in the '50s? And in addition to the main alphabetic sequence of entries, the book also offers boxed features on topics of special interest, such as words arising from World War II ("bazooka," "jeep," "bikini"). With a thoughtful essay to introduce each decade, and thousands of evocative words and phrases, Twentieth Century Words will enthrall all word lovers as it opens a unique window on the last one hundred years.

Twentieth Century Words

Here, John Ayto has brought together over 10,000 slang words and phrases common to 20th-century English, to provide a comprehensive and highly engaging guide to the most outspoken corner of our language. Unlike most such dictionaries, this volume is organized thematically, with slang words gathered under such headings as "the body and its functions" or "sustenance and intoxication." Within each section, the words are listed chronologically, starting with the century's earliest words and phrases and progressing right through to the present day, thus illuminating the development of slang and colloquial language over the last hundred years. Word origins and other interesting features of usage are given wherever possible, as are illustrative quotations from a wide range of authors. A comprehensive A-Z index lists all words included in the dictionary, so you can find a particular word quickly. From "five-finger discount" to "forty-rod whiskey," this is an authoritative and up-to-date record of slang throughout the English-speaking world.

The Oxford Dictionary of Slang (Oxford Quick Reference)

Here are over 5,000 slang words and phrases common to 20th-century English, providing a comprehensive and highly engaging guide to the most outspoken corner of our language. Unlike most such dictionaries this volume is organized thematically. Within each section the words are listed chronologically, starting with the century's earliest words and phrases and progressing right through to the present day, thus illuminating the development of slang and colloquial language over the last hundred years. Word origins and other interesting features of usage are given wherever possible, as are illustrative quotations from a wide range of authors. A comprehensive A-Z index lists all words included in the dictionary, so you can find a particular word quickly. From five-finger discount to forty-rod whiskey, this is an authoritative and up-to-date record of slang throughout the English language.

The Oxford Dictionary of Modern Slang (Oxford Quick Reference)

SIMPSON, John

Take a fascinating journey from cornflakes (1907) to spam (1994). This vivid picture of the last 105 years is based on John Ayto's critically acclaimed Twentieth Century Words, and gives a selection of the key words added to the English language in the twentieth century. For each decade, an introductory essay identifies the main historical, cultural, and scientific currents, and shows how they contributed new vocabulary to the language. An A-Z listing of words which were first recorded in that decade follows, selected for their resonance to today's world. Each word is fully described and its origins explained. A final section looks at vocabulary developments of the new millennium. Full of surprises, Movers and Shakers is at once a glimpse of the past and a handbook for today.

Movers and Shakers: A Chronology of Words that Shaped Our Age

History

Historical Study & Educational Resources

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