The Facts on File Dictionary of Clichés (The Facts on File Writer's Library) [Paperback]

Christine Ammer (Author)

Book Description

Series: Facts on File Writer's Library | Publication Date: October 2001

The Facts On File Dictionary of Clichés explains the meanings and origins of more than 3,000 clichés and common expressions. draws from a wide variety of sources, including the Bible, Shakespeare, and other works of literature. Drawing from a wide variety of sources this book details the meaning of the cliché or expression, its source, early uses, and the history of the phrase over time and its level of use in contemporary English is also noted.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Lexicographer Ammer (American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms) here offers a revised edition of her Have a Nice Day No Problem: A Dictionary of Cliches (LJ 1/92). The update, which includes about 500 more entries, offers the meanings and origins of some 3500 expressions along with sources, histories of usage over time, and levels of use today. The volume includes such recent additions as "get a life," "been there, done that," and "push the envelope" as well as old favorites like the recently resurrected "united we stand," which the author traces back to Chaucer. The index is helpful in locating entries for expressions subsumed under similar sayings, and cross references are found in the text as well. While several resources on cliches are currently available (e.g., Nigel Rees's Cassell's Dictionary of Cliches, LJ 5/15/97), this one stands apart for the large number of citations. Given the speed with which language develops, newer publications of this sort are always welcome. Recommended for academic and public libraries. Denise J. Stankovics, Rockville P.L., Vernon, CT

Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 488 pages
• Publisher: Facts on File (October 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0816043574
• ISBN-13: 978-0816043576
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,722,402 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #21 in Books > Education & Reference > Dictionaries & Thesauruses > Cliches

More About the Author

Christine Ammer is a lifelong student of language. She is the author of several dozen popular reference books, on subjects ranging from classical music to women's health. In recent decades she has concentrated on language, especially colloquial expressions. She lives and looks into words in Lexington, Massachusetts.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fine reference, July 30, 2004

By 

audrey (white mtns) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Facts on File Dictionary of Clichés (The Facts on File Writer's Library) (Paperback)

This is another fine reference from the Facts on File Writer's Library, and is a terrific resource for writers, readers, students and teachers.
Phrases are listed alphabetically, though alphabetizing phrases can be tricky, and if you can't find a phrase, check out the index at the back of the book. Each entry includes an explanation of its meaning, and most discuss the phrase's origin.

The print is clean and I was able to find most of the phrases in which I was interested. Very nice reference.

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, yet lacking in some regards, October 16, 2008

By 

David C. Reed (Earth) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Facts on File Dictionary of Clichés (The Facts on File Writer's Library) (Paperback)

Okay, a comprehensive look at cliches would probably be larger than the OED. However, while there are great items in here, there are certainly some missing that I'd consider in common usage. Still a great book that's always next to my chair for a quick glance at every now and then.

2 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book rocks, September 25, 2005

By 

Kathleen Ashe "word dork" (Anahien, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Facts on File Dictionary of Clichés (The Facts on File Writer's Library) (Paperback)

This book is a great give for anyone who loves words and the history of the English language. I bought this book on a lark, but now I can hardly put it down. I have always loved words and how they are put together to make sayings and phrases and this book give a brief history of some time old cliches.