Author : Linda Flavell
Publisher : Kyle Cathie Limited
Page : 0 pages
File Size : 20,71 MB
Release : 2005
Category : English language
ISBN : 9781856265638
This dictionary traces the origins and histories of over 400 proverbs, detailing the changes of meaning and usage that have occurred throughout each proverb's life and offering literary examples dating back over 2000 years.
Author : Lingo Lingo Mastery
Publisher : Independently Published
Page : 229 pages
File Size : 42,3 MB
Release : 2019-10-13
Category :
ISBN : 9781699654316
Do you feel that it's "like pulling teeth" when you want to learn new sayings? Would you like to be able to discover new American idioms and phrases that will make communication "a piece of cake"? Sure, you can learn English with a language course or a textbook just fine, and climb up the ranks in terms of your grasp of the language... but are you sure you can talk like a native? For starters, many expressions used by fluent speakers of English can't exactly be learned in a book, and it can be frustrating to realize that your formal learning hasn't been enough to teach you the way people talk in real life. Sometimes, it's all about having the right tools at your disposal... and this is where The Great Book of American Idioms comes in! Written to act as a powerful addition to your other English-learning resources, this book will allow you to: Discover over 1300 different idioms and sayings, covering hundreds of different subjects Learn the correct definition and usage of each expression, ensuring that you know exactly when you can say them out loud during a conversation Visualize examples of the sayings in common conversations, helping you understand their context Take advantage of important tips we provide you in the introduction and conclusion of the book, so that you can boost your learning and get a much better understanding of the English language. What are you waiting for? Over 1300 idioms and expressions are awaiting you! Don't miss out on learning why this "dark horse" will help you "see the big picture"!
Author : James McGuire
Publisher : Cider Mill Press
Page : 145 pages
File Size : 37,34 MB
Release : 2024-10-29
Category : Humor
ISBN : 1400252148
The Illustrated Histories of Everyday Expressions uncovers the fascinating, humorous, and often unbelievable origin stories behind the English language's most common sayings! Nobody thinks twice about sayings like bite the bullet and the cat's out of the bag. But the strange and wonderful origins of these expressions are far from arbitrary: They are rooted in forgotten history. Within this book, you will discover the origins of idioms like: Why we say an unwell person is under the weather. It goes back to when sickly sailors and seafarers had to rest below deck! How come sitting in the passenger seat of a vehicle is called riding shotgun." In the Wild West, passengers had a crucial job: packing heat and preventing highway robberies! What's up with the phrase, cat got your tongue. Here's a hint: It doesn't have anything to do with cats! With over 100 pieces of original artwork, The Illustrated Histories of Everyday Expressions is as beautiful as it is entertaining and informative. Read up on this fascinating history of the English language's 64 most popular idioms, and you will know what it really means when you say pass with flying colors, bury the hatchet, and rest on your laurels!
Author : Neil Ewart
Publisher :
Page : 162 pages
File Size : 26,97 MB
Release : 1983
Category : English language
ISBN : 9780713713541
Explains the meaning and implication of 400 phrases commonly used throughout the English-speaking world, such as: eager beaver and sour grapes.
Author : Jasper Hartwell
Publisher : Ferros Publishing
Page : 219 pages
File Size : 49,91 MB
Release : 2023-10-17
Category : Education
ISBN :
Ever wondered why we "bark up the wrong tree" when we're mistaken or why things seem to "go down the drain" when they fail? These quirky expressions have been passed down through generations, but do you know where they come from? In "IDIOMS: Origins & Meanings," you’ll unlock the surprising, hilarious, and sometimes bizarre origins of over 200 popular idioms that we use without a second thought. What’s inside: Over 200 Idioms Demystified: Clear, concise explanations with fun examples that show you how to use these phrases in everyday conversations. Hilarious and Strange Origins: Did you know “raining cats and dogs” has nothing to do with pets falling from the sky? Or that “spill the beans” originally involved voting secrets? This book takes you on a journey through the strange histories of idioms that will leave you laughing and enlightened. Perfect for Everyone: Whether you’re a language lover, a student brushing up on English, or someone who just enjoys learning new and intriguing things, this book has something for everyone. Boost Your Conversations: Impress your friends, colleagues, or even just enjoy knowing exactly what it means to “put the cart before the horse” or why you should “hold your horses.” The Perfect Gift for Any Occasion Looking for a unique and thoughtful gift? This bookis perfect for anyone who loves language, enjoys quirky facts, or simply wants to be the most interesting person at the dinner table. Whether it’s for a friend, family member, or co-worker, this book is a gift that will spark laughter and curiosity. Don’t miss out on this entertaining and educational book! Buy Now and start your journey into the world of idioms—where every phrase has a funny, quirky, or unbelievable story waiting to be uncovered.
Author : Richard A. Spears
Publisher : McGraw Hill Professional
Page : 1100 pages
File Size : 17,63 MB
Release : 2006-02-03
Category : Foreign Language Study
ISBN : 0071486852
Learn the language of Nebraska . . .and 49 other states With more entries than any other reference of its kind,McGraw-Hill’s Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs shows you how American English is spoken today. You will find commonly used phrasal verbs, idiomatic expressions, proverbial expressions, and clichés. The dictionary contains more than 24,000 entries, each defined and followed by one or two example sentences. It also includes a Phrase-Finder Index with more than 60,000 entries.
Author : John Ayto
Publisher : Oxford University Press
Page : 876 pages
File Size : 46,12 MB
Release : 2020-06-18
Category : Reference
ISBN : 0192584383
What is it to 'cock a snook', where is the land of Nod, and who was first to go the extra mile? Find the answers to these questions (and many more!) in the new edition of the Oxford Dictionary of Idioms. This dictionary uncovers the meanings of myriad phrases and sayings that are used daily in the English language, encompassing more than 10,000 figurative expressions, similes, sayings, and proverbs. More than 400 idioms have been added to this new edition, and comprise recently coined and common sayings alike. New additions include 'back of the net', 'drag and drop', 'go it alone', 'how come?', 'if you ask me', 'make your skin crawl', and 'woe betide'. Illustrative quotations sourced from the Oxford corpora give contextual examples of the idioms and their standard usage, and many entries include background information on the origins of the idiom in question. An updated thematic index makes for easy navigation, and anyone who is interested in the origins and diversity of English vernacular will have hours of fun browsing this fascinating dictionary.
Author : Yuri Dolgopolov
Publisher : McFarland
Page : 406 pages
File Size : 45,11 MB
Release : 2016-02-01
Category : Literary Criticism
ISBN : 0786459956
Covering over 10,000 idioms and collocations characterized by similarity in their wording or metaphorical idea which do not show corresponding similarity in their meanings, this dictionary presents a unique cross-section of the English language. Though it is designed specifically to assist readers in avoiding the use of inappropriate or erroneous phrases, the book can also be used as a regular phraseological dictionary providing definitions to individual idioms, cliches, and set expressions. Most phrases included in the dictionary are in active current use, making information about their meanings and usage essential to language learners at all levels of proficiency.
Author : Mark Abley
Publisher : Simon and Schuster
Page : 272 pages
File Size : 47,88 MB
Release : 2018-10-30
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN : 1501172298
Phrases, idioms, and clichés—why do we say the things we say? Watch Your Tongue explores weird and wonderful everyday sayings and what they reveal about us. Do you ever wonder why you shouldn’t have a cow but you should seize a bull by its horns? Who has the better reputation in language—cats or dogs? Do you sometimes feel that our speech is all smoke and mirrors or that our expressions simply make no sense? In Watch Your Tongue, award-winning author Mark Abley explores the phrases, idioms, and clichés of our everyday language. With wit and subtle wisdom, he unravels the mysteries of these expressions, illuminating the history, tradition and stories behind everything we say. Pulling examples from Shakespeare’s plays to sports team names, ancient Rome to Twitter, Abley shares samples and anecdotes of the eccentric ways that we play with, parse, and pattern language. Why do so many companies use fruit for their brand names? What do politicians mean when they say they’re going to “drain the swamp”? Why does English use chickens to signify cowardice? Abley dives into the history and psychology behind these examples and countless others, unpacking their significance (and sheer absurdity) to show how our language developed, where it is headed, and what we can learn about ourselves from it. Whimsically illustrated, easily browsable, and full of catchy sidebars, Watch Your Tongue celebrates how we amuse ourselves with words and what our sayings reveal about the way we see the world.
Author : Scott Matthews
Publisher :
Page : 122 pages
File Size : 15,14 MB
Release : 2021-09-04
Category :
ISBN : 9781922531261
Why do you "call shotgun" when you want the front passenger seat? What does "letting the cat out of the bag" have to do with divulging secrets? Why do you ask people to "cut to the chase"? How come you hear all those juicy rumors "through the grapevine"? Like many people you've probably used idioms or phrases like these without giving them a second thought. But if you were to take a moment to step back and learn about them you'll be pleasantly surprised to discover the mesmerizing and sometimes outright bizarre origins to these fun sayings! In "Why do we say that," we have curated 101 of the most regularly used idioms, proverbs, turns of phrases, and colloquial terms that have the most fascinating backstories. For each phrase, we have explained how it was coined, how its use evolved through the ages, and how it gained its contemporary use. Inside you will discover: What the sanitary conditions of 17th century London have to do with it's "raining cats and dogs" today. Why taking things "with grain of salt" has to do with an ancient remedy for poison. What Southeast Asian warrior traditions have to do with the term "to run amuck." Why "to break a leg" became something worth aspiring to in the Elizabethan theatres. And many many more Click the BUY NOW button at the top of the page to unravel the mysteries behind popular English idioms.
