The Oxford Dictionary of Idioms [Hardcover]

Judith Siefring (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 16, 2004 | ISBN-10: 019852711X | ISBN-13: 978-0198527114 | Edition: 2

Did you know that 'flavor of the month' originated in a marketing campaign in American ice-cream parlors in the 1940s, when a particular flavor would be specially promoted for a month at a time? And did you know that 'off the cuff' refers to the rather messy practice of writing impromptu notes on one's shirt cuff before speaking in public? These and many more idioms are explained and put into context in this second edition of the Oxford Dictionary of Idioms.

The volume takes a fresh look at the idiomatic phrases and sayings that make English the rich and intriguing language that it is. This major new edition contains entries for over 5000 idioms, including 350 entirely new entries and over 500 new quotations.

The text has been updated to include many new idioms using the findings of the Oxford English Reading Program, the biggest language research program in the world. The entries are supported by a wealth of illustrative quotations from a wide range of sources and periods and the text has been entirely redesigned so that it is both elegant and easy to use. Anyone interested in the colorful side of the English language will get hours of fun browsing this fascinating and informative volume.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Oxford has published a second edition of a title that first appeared as a paperback in 1999. Promotional material declares that there are more than 5,000 definitions of idioms with 350 new idioms and "hundreds of new origin notes." The dictionary has been redesigned and visually improved with a two-column format interspersed with boxes that provide origin of the idioms. The idioms are arranged by keyword with a concise definition and sometimes the origin and an illustrative quotation. An index in which the idioms are grouped by subject--Haste and speed, Jealousy and envy, Poverty, Weather-- has been added. The book has a definite British-English and Australian tone. British spelling is used (checque, favours, labour), and many of the idioms are unique to a particular country. Idioms that were not in the first edition or in other idiom dictionaries include hot to trot, New York minute, and wazoo. New illustrative quotations are included from Frank McCourt, the Wall Street Journal, and the Guardian. Surprisingly, 24/7 has not yet found its place in a dictionary of idioms. The Oxford Dictionary of Idioms is current, but the American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms (1997) concentrates on American English. Oxford Reference Online includes the first edition of the Oxford dictionary, and the second will probably appear soon. Libraries that need an up-to-date hardcover source for idioms should consider this new edition. Christine Bulson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

`Anyone who is addicted to the richness of the English language or simply intrigued by the origin and meaning of an idiom like "teach your grandmother to suck eggs" will relish this work.' Library Journal

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 346 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 2 edition (December 16, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 019852711X
• ISBN-13: 978-0198527114
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,551,352 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Overview of British English Idioms, With Origins, November 19, 2007

By 

mziemba3 (Ann Arbor, MI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Oxford Dictionary of Idioms (Oxford Paperback Reference) (Paperback)

Drawing on the reputation of Oxford, this authoritative dictionary surveys a English idioms with a British tilt, limiting its usefulness as an American English reference but offering many phrase origins.

This idiom dictionary only lists 5,000-plus entries, a limited scope made smaller for Americans or those studying American English because of the book's emphasis on British English. The dictionary assumes a more convenient trade paperback size, but its shortness makes it less reliable as a reference.

A smaller number of entries allows more room to share notes on the origins of idioms, however. This helps enhance the reader's understanding and retention of the idioms.

The authority and brevity of this idiom dictionary make it more useful to those who already speak English and are looking for a handy reference to satisfy mild curiosity. Students of English as a second language and communications professionals looking for a more complete reference should look elsewhere.

4.0 out of 5 stars The Oxford Dictionary of Idioms, February 8, 2009

By 

KPRP "K.P. World" (Sioux City, IA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Oxford Dictionary of Idioms (Oxford Paperback Reference) (Paperback)

I think this title is a good starter for persons learning a new language. The English language is quite complex and this paperback may help to ease this pain.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Plenty of better idiom dictionaries out there, January 1, 2010

By 

Todd Hagopian "CEO of the Hagopian Institute ... (Michigan) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Oxford Dictionary of Idioms (Oxford Paperback Reference) (Paperback)

If you are trying to learn the U.S. language, idioms, and slang, then there are better options out there for you. Try any of the other major dictionaries and they will work better for you. This one is written more for British-Americans and does not really teach you what you are looking for if you are buying for the purpose of learning about the English language. I hope that is helpful.

Have Fun!

Todd Hagopian

President/CEO

Hagopian Institute

Author of the popular "Quote Junkie" book sereies and the brand new "Idiom Junkie" series