The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs
"The English language is enhanced by thousands of proverbs that make observations, impart life lessons, or give advice. With more than 1,500 entries, this dictionary explains the meanings and origins of short, memorable sayings that are widely recognized today, such as art is long and life is short; conscience does make cowards of us all; gather ye rosebuds while ye may; Homer sometimes nods; and still waters run deep." "Featuring both traditional and contemporary proverbs, entries include: a...
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Offering definitions, examples of use, and dates of first usage, this dictionary alphabetically presents such 1500 proverbs, from "absence is the mother of disillusion" to "you win some you lose some." The proverbs are drawn from common English usage in England and North America, missing many proverbs that are used in other parts of the English-speaking world. Also included are indexes that list proverbs by theme and key word. Annotation c. Book News, Inc.,Portland, OR Library Journal Proverbs, as distinct from aphorisms, epigrams, maxims, and slogans, are complete, standalone thoughts that figure largely in our conversation and our literature. Manser (Facts On File Dictionary of Foreign Words and Phrases), who has published numerous scholarly books and articles on language and proverbs in particular, here includes 1500 brief entries, all found in written English from the earliest times to the present. Arranged alphabetically, each entry succinctly elucidates the meaning of a common proverb, including origin, variant forms, and examples of usage, e.g., "to err is human, to forgive divine" is derived from an early Latin text and appears in an essay by Alexander Pope in 1711, while the more familiar "boys seldom make passes at girls who wear glasses" is often attributed to Ogden Nash but actually originated with Dorothy Parker. With 15,000 entries, Wolfgang Mieder's magisterial A Dictionary of American Proverbs is a major (if somewhat older) resource. But while Manser's work is not exhaustive, it is an exceptional ready-reference source, comparing favorably with such classic collections as The Penguin Dictionary of Proverbs and various Oxford publications by virtue of its conciseness and engaging style. Recommended for all library collections.-Richard K. Burns, M.S.L.S., Hatboro, PA
\ Library JournalProverbs, as distinct from aphorisms, epigrams, maxims, and slogans, are complete, standalone thoughts that figure largely in our conversation and our literature. Manser (Facts On File Dictionary of Foreign Words and Phrases), who has published numerous scholarly books and articles on language and proverbs in particular, here includes 1500 brief entries, all found in written English from the earliest times to the present. Arranged alphabetically, each entry succinctly elucidates the meaning of a common proverb, including origin, variant forms, and examples of usage, e.g., "to err is human, to forgive divine" is derived from an early Latin text and appears in an essay by Alexander Pope in 1711, while the more familiar "boys seldom make passes at girls who wear glasses" is often attributed to Ogden Nash but actually originated with Dorothy Parker. With 15,000 entries, Wolfgang Mieder's magisterial A Dictionary of American Proverbs is a major (if somewhat older) resource. But while Manser's work is not exhaustive, it is an exceptional ready-reference source, comparing favorably with such classic collections as The Penguin Dictionary of Proverbs and various Oxford publications by virtue of its conciseness and engaging style. Recommended for all library collections.-Richard K. Burns, M.S.L.S., Hatboro, PA\ \ \ \ \ Library JournalAlthough intended for sixth- to 12th-grade students, this newly revised and expanded edition will prove a valuable reference for anyone seeking explication of English-language aphorisms. Manser (The Facts On File Dictionary of Foreign Words and Phrases) offers half-page features of biblical and literary proverbs as well as adages from 18 other languages and cultures, from African to Yiddish. More than 1700 entries-200 of them new and most running several paragraphs long-are first organized alphabetically by opening word, then indexed by theme. Each entry offers an example of conventional usage, relevant variations, and the date and location of the proverb's first recorded appearance. Newly added proverbs include "You snooze, you lose" and "Men are from Mars, women are from Venus." Recommended for literary and scholastic library collections; libraries owning the 2002 edition should update.\ \ —Savannah Schroll Guz\ \ \ School Library JournalGr 5 Up-A handy reference book containing more than 1500 pithy and familiar sayings from ancient times through to the present day. Each alphabetically arranged expression is printed in boldface and followed by a short explanation of its meaning, an example from literature or elsewhere, mention of its origin and variants, and the year it was first recorded, if known. Cross-references and proverbs with similar or different meanings are included when appropriate. Indexes by keyword and by theme complete the work. Informative and easy to use for assignments and for browsing, this is a fine example of the adage, "a book is like a garden carried in the pocket."-Pat Bender, The Shipley School, Bryn Mawr, PA Copyright 2003 Cahners Business Information.\ \
