The Facts on File Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins (Facts on File Writer's Library)

As a writer, I fall into the pits of cliches and over used phrases that not many people understand. Every now and then people will come out with something that sounds really old but makes no sense. Encyclopedia is ESSENTIAL to any English and word enthusiast as well as writer. This is like an extra dictionary, only more in depth. The price is amazing and the words inside are intriguing. Knowing the origin of words and phrases will enlighten you to why it's used, how it's used, and how it's changed over time. Very interesting, deeply detailed, and a must have! Contents......Page 6 Preface to the Fourth Edition......Page 8 Preface to the Original Edition......Page 10 Abbreviations for the Most Frequently Cited Authorities......Page 12 A......Page 14 B......Page 62 C......Page 155 D......Page 238 E......Page 282 F......Page 304 G......Page 341 H......Page 392 I......Page 441 J......Page 462 K......Page 481 L......Page 497 M......Page 537 N......Page 593 O......Page 617 P......Page 639 Q......Page 699 R......Page 707 S......Page 735 T......Page 821 U......Page 865 V......Page 874 W......Page 886 X......Page 916 Y......Page 919 Z......Page 929 Index......Page 934 Traces the history of over nine thousand English words and phrases, including slang, proverbs, plant and animal names, place-names, phrases from literature, nicknames, historical expressions, and foreign-language expressions This encyclopedia explains the origins of thousands of words, proverbs, idioms, foreign language expressions, animal and plant names, and nicknames. There are more than 12,500 entries of which approximately 3500 are new.