Oxford Dictionary of Idioms FROM THE PUBLISHER
The Oxford Dictionary of Idioms is the most comprehensive and up-to-date dictionary of idioms available. It covers both long-established idioms and phrases, and recent arrivals. It tells us, for example, that 'run amok' was first introduced into English in the 16th century from the Malay word amuk meaning 'in a homicidal frenzy', while 'off the cuff' refers to the rather messy practice, common in the days of starched shirt cuffs, of writing last-minute notes on one's shirt cuff before speaking in public. More recent coinages include 'jump the shark' (referring to a film or TV show that has had events added to it merely for novelty rather than for quality) and 'give someone the hairy eyeball' (staring angrily at someone through partially closed eyes). These and many more idioms are defined, explained, and put into context. The Oxford Dictionary of Idioms is based on the resources of Oxford's unique language research programme; each entry has been meticulously researched by the Oxford Dictionary department, with many new findings being incorporated for the new edition. Several hundred new idioms have been added together with many new examples of use; in addition the text has been redesigned, presenting idioms alphabetically by key word and including special new origin and background notes. Lastly, a new thematic index groups together idioms and phrases which have a common theme, such as jealousy and envy, strength, age, and death. The Oxford Dictionary of Idioms is an essential reference tool for students and teachers of English, both at university level and for English as a second language, as well as for anyone interested in the more colourful side of the English language and its history.
FROM THE CRITICS
Library Journal
Essentially, idioms are groups of words whose meanings differ from the literal, but they are also defined as phrases typical to a region, period, or group. Like the original from 1999, the second edition of this dictionary is both current and retrospective in covering these intriguing phrases. Containing over 5000 such sayings and proverbs (350 of them are new to this edition and over 500 are revised), it attempts to cover idioms from the entire English-speaking world. Each entry provides a full definition; explanatory notes on background and details about the origin, history, and usage; and illustrative quotations from a wide variety of sources such as newspapers, novels, travel guides, and teen magazines. As needed, the geography of the idiom is identified as "North American Slang" or "Australia and New Zealand," etc. The dictionary was updated using the findings of the English Reading Program, the ongoing research program of the Oxford English Dictionary. Bottom Line Attractive, highly perusable, and logically arranged, the dictionary is recommended for libraries serving teachers and students of all stripes, especially those in ESL programs. Anyone who is addicted to the richness of the English language or simply intrigued by the origin and meaning of an idiom like "teach your grandmother to suck eggs" will also relish this work. For a reference on American idioms only, The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms is still a good choice.-Paul D'Alessandro, Portland P.L., ME Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
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