Dictionary of Cliches: Amazon.ca: James Rogers: Books

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"The best kind of reference book--one that amuses as it instructs. I fell for it hook, line, and sinker."
CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALERR
IN A NUTSHELL, here's a terrific A TO Z listing of the meanings and origins of over 2,000 common or particularly interesting cliches for everyone who delights in the pleasure of words.

From the Paperback edition.

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Customer Reviews

11 Reviews

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
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Average Customer Review

4.2 out of 5 stars (11 customer reviews)

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5.0 out of 5 stars You'll be filled to the brim with knowledge., Jun 17 2004

By

M. E. Volmar - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dictionary of Cliches (Hardcover)

This informative, well-researched and amusing reference explains the meaning, origin and subsequent usage of over 2000 cliches, sayings and expressions made familiar through their continued, and sometimes exaggerated, use. It's a wonderful resource for writers, researchers and editors, for trivia enthusiasts, and for people who just love words, language and slang.
Each entry in this comprehensive collection is presented in a paragraph-length format, and is written in a clear, concise and humorous style that invites browsing, but is also appropriate for easy consultations, for which an index of cross-references is also included. Here you'll find the well known "head over heels", "fit as a fiddle" and "right as rain" and also the not so common "eager for the fray" and "Simon pure".
Although not all the cliches ever used are contained in this volume, it is by far the most complete compilation of its kind available on the market today.
Overall, this book is a delightful trip of exploration and discovery into the treasury of our language's most colorful remarks.
--Reviewed by M. E. Volmar

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1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, Oct 14 2002

By

Carrie Northburg (Raleigh, NC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dictionary of Cliches (Mass Market Paperback)

The first cliche I looked up wasn't even in the book. I have now started making a list on the back cover of the cliches NOT in the book. What a waste of time and effort. If you're buying this book used, check the back cover!

I'm now shopping for a replacement.

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5.0 out of 5 stars The cat's out of the bag!, May 11 2002

By

Michael Mathena "Michael Mathena" (Valley City, Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Dictionary of Cliches (Mass Market Paperback)

A publication like this was bound to hit the market eventually (if it hasn't already done so in other variations). "The Dictionary of Cliches" is abundant in commonly known expressions, but it also gives detailed information regarding origin and "most popular era of usage" of more obscure cliches, making it the most complete work of its kind you will find.

Reading through the paragraph-length "explanations" makes for hours of enjoyable "trivia hunting". To see that a phrase was "coined" 200 years or even longer ago, yet is still commonly used in the 21st century is amazing. It makes you think that the English language has had many "Shakespeares" over the centuries.

This book makes a great gift to any young scholar or other person interested in the English language and its roots. In paperback format "The Dictionary of Cliches" is an exceptional value. I can highly recommend it.*****

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Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars To be or not to be ... let's talk clichés.
This little jewel "comes on like gangbusters." This simile is a cliché, the bane of good writing; while they are acceptable in dialogue, in prose these truisms... Read more

Published on Nov 12 2001 by Victoria Tarrani

2.0 out of 5 stars Not enough cliches
This book is fine as a joke gift - it has plenty of interesting and sometimes amusing attempts to describe the origins of many cliches. Read more

Published on July 20 2001