Origin of phrases book

[SteveD]

Christmas present request from 'er indoors: a book explaining the origin of common phrases and sayings.

Does anybody have suggestions please?

[BigMac]

I think one's called Brewer's Phrase and Fable

[Quizmonkey]

Brewer's doesn't exactly do that, brilliant reference though it is. There is a series (?) of small books out at the moment by Albert Jack which seem to be just the thing you want: one is called March Hares & Monkeys' Uncles and the other Shaggy Dogs & Black Sheep. They're usually in the humour section of bookshops - but there's a special offer if you buy both on Amazon!

[Quizmonkey]

PS - Red Herrings & White Elephants is the other one!

[Quizmonster]

Anything - such as 'POSH and Other Language Myths' by Michael Quinion is well worthwhile. Click here for his Worldwide Words website for a foretaste. He is a noted etymologist and lexicographer who actually worked on The Oxford English Dictionary - the 'bible' of English words and phrases - so his opinion is one of authority. Brewer is quite delightful, but often inaccurate. 'Heavens To Betsy' by Charles Funk is OK. There are lots, actually, so have a browse around.

[SteveD]

Thanks to BM and the two QMs.

[danube]

Wordsworth - Dictionary of Cliche

I find Wordsworth Reference books extremely useful - and cheap!

[boaw]

Catchphrase, Slogan, and Cliche. Judy Parkinson.

Michael O`Mara Books. �4.99 Published 2003.

Penguin Dictionary of Cliches. Julia Cresswell. �7.99.

Published 2000. Penguin Books.

Oxford Dictionary of Catchphrases. Published 2002

OUP. �8.99

[mallory]

the shop Past Times does a range of these kind of subject books

[SteveD]

Thanks, danube, boaw and mallory.

[Marsh]

The Past Times ones are not always to be trusted. I bought one which was full of spoof answers and I now wouldn't buy any of them.

[1crazycat]

I know it might be too late for her...but I finally found a good book after hours of searching on amazon and barnes and noble.

I suggest: Morris Dictionary of Word and Phrase Origins By William Morris and Mary Morris

It has fun old time quotes, not too much bible stuff and it includes origins to many words and where they came from., Cute :o)