The Oxford Dictionary of Humorous Quotations [Paperback]

Ned Sherrin (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 15, 2003

In The Oxford Dictionary of Humorous Quotations, noted writer and satirist Ned Sherrin has gathered nearly 6,000 quotations drawn from an international cast of humorists and pundits, ranging from Shakespeare, Jane Austen, and Oscar Wilde to Groucho Marx, Monty Python, Woody Allen and Roseanne. Forty themes, from computers to tennis, and over eight hundred quotations, are completely new to this paperback edition.
Arranged in themes from Actors and Acting to Youth, Sherrin has collected the sharpest, the wittiest, the wryest in quips, put-downs, and one-liners. Here are the best lines of comedians and playwrights, novelists and producers, cartoonists and moguls, soldiers and lawyers. Each quotation comes with details of who said it, where, and when, while separate keyword and author indices mean the reader will never have to wonder "whose line is it anyway?"
Displaying all shades of humor, from dry to sly, subtle to wacky, The Oxford Dictionary of Humorous Quotations is the perfect resource for anyone who enjoys a sparkling line, a clever pun, or a wickedly clever riposte.
"Passes the test. [Discover] lines that are simply falling-down hilarious."--The Seattle Times

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Cleverly edited by Sherrin, a writer, satirist, and presenter of BBC Radio 4's Loose Ends, a weekly satirical gathering of international news, this unique, single-volume work is both a compendium of quotes and also a great browsing book for people fascinated with language. From an international group of writers, humorists, actors, and public figures, Sherrin has collected almost 6000 quotes, some witty puns and one-liners and some possibly insulting. Along with traditional favorites such as Mark Twain, Mae West, and Shakespeare, this new edition updates the 1996 edition with more contemporary figures, such as Madonna, Jay Leno, and Mick Jagger. About 800 new quotations have been added, and some material has been cut. The themes are arranged alphabetically, from "Actors" to "Youth," and citations sourced from movies, plays, novels, literature, songs, radio programs, and many other places provide the author's name, birth and death dates, source of quote, and context. While some entries may seem "foreign" to a U.S. audience, most readers will find something to chuckle about as they browse. Covering a wide range of themes, authors, and time periods, this source is excellent for public speakers, writers, trivia buffs, and those who love to laugh. Highly recommended for medium-sized and larger libraries. Highly recommended. Bobbie Wrinkle, McCracken Cty. P.L., Paducah, KY
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"From an international group of writers, humorists, actors, and public figures, Sherrin has collected almost 6000 quotes, some witty puns and one-liners and some possibly insulting. Along with traditional favorites such as Mark Twain, Mae West, and Shakespeare, this new edition updates the 1996 edition with more contemporary figures, such as Madonna, Jay Leno, and Mick Jagger.... Covering a wide range of themes, authors, and time periods, this source is excellent for public speakers, writers, trivia buffs, and those who love to laugh. Highly recommended."--Library Journal "Thanks go to Ned Sherin, the BBC satirist, for researching and compiling the lines that get smiles and some belly laughs."--Gary Stevens, WCBS Radio "Passes the test...The discovery of lines that are simply falling-down hilarious."--Seattle Times

"For those who are often looking for quality quotations, this book is sure to be a hit. Because it covers such a wide range of personalities, from historical to modern and from subtle to outrageous, this book will appeal to a wide audience. It will be a welcome addition to many public libraries."--American Reference Book Annual 2002

"The wit across the 512 pages here is sourced and provided context by category and author, a treasure for speaker, academic, or random reader."--The Virginian-Pilot "Need a witty quote to use in a speech or to impress a friend? The Oxford Dictionary of Humorous Quotations is a good place to start."--Syracuse Post-Standard

"The entire work is quite thorough."--Booklist

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 544 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 2 edition (May 15, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198606664
• ISBN-13: 978-0198606666
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.2 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,609,706 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)