Brewer's Dictionary of Twentieth-Century Phrase and Fable [Hardcover]

Houghton Mifflin Company (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0395616492 | ISBN-13: 978-0395616499 | Publication Date: April 2, 1992

This classic reference of definitions, anedotes, slang, allusions, proverbs, and much hard-to-find information on the arts, literature, science, and popular culture has been completely revised and updated to reflect the present state of our language. Features 8,000 new words and phrases--everything from Graceland to glasnost--coined since 1900.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

First published in 1870, Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable was called by its originator a "Treasure of literary bric-a-brac" because of its wealth of definitions of puzzling terms likely to be met in wide reading. This new compilation, which has the same format, is confined to items dating from 1900 and is somewhat less literary, being laden with the stuff of the news--wars, politics, economics, science, and scandals. Those unfamiliar with such mental furniture as Lassie or snafu can turn here. The scope is so wide that almost anything may be included--which is both a plus and a minus. Its British focus renders it less than ideal as a key to American terms, but it serves the reader well in most areas. This dictionary contains 8000 terms, many more than comparable collections, but in crowded paragraphs and without an index, they are less accessible. For larger collections.
- William A. Donovan, Chicago P.L.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 662 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin (April 2, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395616492
• ISBN-13: 978-0395616499
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 2.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,195,430 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)