English proverbs explained

Description

This is a fascinating collection of hundreds of English proverbial expressions. These include sayings which go back to the very roots of language, quotations from great writers which have become proverbial, and popular phrases which are widely used and known. The compilers not only pithily define and illustrate the proverbs but also trace them back to their origins wherever possible. There are copious cross-references which show how many expressions relate to a common core of folk wisdom. A very full and useful index is also included, and there is a section of biographical details of people mentioned in the book. English-speaking people throughout the world are familiar from infancy with such phrases as 'a stitch in time saves nine' and 'first come first served', but they will find new light shed on these and on less familiar proverbs by the compilers. Those to whom English is a second or foreign language will be greatly helped by the definitions, since proverbial expressions are notoriously bewildering.

Subjects

Series Statement

• Pan piper

Other Editions

• English proverbs explainedPaperbackPan Books1969-01-01
• English proverbs explainedHardcoverHeinemann1967-01-01
• English proverbs explainedHeinemann1967-01-01
• English proverbs explainedBarnes & Noble1968-01-01
• Ying Han shuang jie, xian dai chang yong Ying yu yan yu ci dianXin hua shu dian jing xiao1987-01-01
• Ying yu ge yan yan yu xiao ci dianYuan liu chu ban shi ye gu fen you xian gong si1990-01-01