Jennifer Speake Knihy

Containing 5,000 idioms, alphabetically arranged by key word, this book covers metaphorical phrases, familiar quotations and proverbs, and similes. It provides meanings for well-known idioms such as set the world alight, cost an arm and a leg, once in a blue moon, the tip of the iceberg, andmany more. A date of origin is often given and many entries are supported by illustrative quotations from sources as varied as the Bible, Spectator, and Agatha Christie. Full of fascinating facts, this dictionary is ideal for anyone with an interest in the origins of words and phrases. --Arrangement of words alphabetically by key word means easy browsing --Focuses on British English, but also covers US English and other variants, e.g. cut to the chase and make a Virginia fence. --Histories of well-known idioms are provided

Containing over 8,000 entries, this dictionary is the authoritative guide to foreign words and phrases used in contemporary British and American English. Drawn from over 40 languages, entries provide details of the history of each word or phrase, including language of origin, any originalspelling, and its sense and use in English. Quotations are used throughout the text to illustrate the terms in their English context. --Words discussed include: aborigine, a cappella, futon, nouvelle cuisine, pot pourri, and tamagotchi. --Examples from over 40 languages, including Afrikaans, Chinese, Greek, Hebrew, Hindustani, Latin, Malay, and Turkish --Quotations are used liberally throughout to illustrate how words are used in English --An appendix lists the entries by country of origin and date of introduction into English

Contains more than 1000 proverbs current in the 20th century with explanations of their meanings, uses, and origins.

Who came first, Edward V or Richard III? Which Louis was known as the Sun King? Who is the national hero of Croatia? Combining A-Z entries with chronological overviews and detailed maps, this dictionary provides the non-specialist with a clear background to world history.

A wide selection of sayings from the Old and New Testaments.

If foreign words and phrases are your "bete noire," here is a superb reference that offers coverage of over 8,000 foreign words and phrases that are in regular use in English today. Readers will find clear definitions of words such as "fandango," "futon," "falsetto," "basmati," "bistro," "nouvelle cousine"--and many other words found in everyday speech as well as in musical direction, the arts, food, medicine, science (such as the very different meanings of "gamma" in astronomy, chemistry, physics, and photography), literature and belles-lettres. As one would expect in a language as global as English, the Dictionary draws words from a wide array of languages, including Afrikaans, Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindustani, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Russian, and Turkish. The entries are browsable, but also authoritative, with detailed information on each word or phrase, including any alternative spellings, the date of the word's introduction into English, its language or origin and original spelling, its definition, and notes on usage and other points of interest. The etymologies are often curious: "ukelele," for instance, is Hawaiian for "jumping flea" and "yakuza," the Japanese word for "gangster," literally means "8-9-3" (the worst possible hand in a popular gambling game). Quotations have been liberally sprinkled throughout to illustrate how the words are used in context. Here then is a book that is "sine qua non" (absolutely indispensable) for all reference shelves.