The Oxford Dictionary of Idioms (2nd Edition)

Judith Siefring (ed), "The Oxford Dictionary of Idioms (2nd Edition)"

Oxford University Press | 2nd Edition | 2004 | ISBN: 019852711X | 348 pages | siPDF | 8.9 MB

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.

From the Back Cover
The Oxford Dictionary of Idioms presents more than 5,000 idioms explaining the meaning and origin of metaphorical phrases, similes, sayings, and proverbs from thoughout the English-speaking world. Full of fascinating and surprising facts, this dictionary is the perfect guide for everyone with an interest in this most colourful and quirky aspect of the English language.

• Completely revised based on evidence of Oxford's ongoing language research
  
• More than 350 new idioms and hundreds of new origin notes
  
• Thousands of real examples both modern and historical
  
• Easy to use, arranged alphabetically by key word, with an elegant new design
  
• Thematic index groups idioms by topic or theme: from Death and Fate to Beauty and Love

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.

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