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Little Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs
Little Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs features over 2,000 proverbs and sayings from around the world, arranged across 250 subjects - from 'Books' and 'Borrowing' to 'Dreams' and 'Drink'. Each theme has a short introduction giving an overview of the proverbial treatment of the topic and each proverb is accompanied by information on its date, source, and meaning. Not only is this book a pleasure to browse but it is ideal for quick reference with its comprehensive index that makes it easy to find the exact phrase you're looking for. Beautifully produced and designed, it is the perfect gift for anyone who loves language.
Drawing on Oxford's ongoing dictionary research and language monitoring, the second edition of this delightful book adds phrases that have come to prominence, or increased in popularity, since publication of the first edition, such as "Never waste a good crisis" and "Dress for the job you want, not for the job you have," which add a contemporary flavor to the selection of more traditional English proverbs, and the popular sayings used in the English-speaking world from Asia, Africa, Middle East, and many other cultures. Find phrases on all aspects of life in this fascinating little book.
Drawing on Oxford's ongoing dictionary research and language monitoring, the second edition of this delightful book adds phrases that have come to prominence, or increased in popularity, since publication of the first edition, such as "Never waste a good crisis" and "Dress for the job you want, not for the job you have," which add a contemporary flavor to the selection of more traditional English proverbs, and the popular sayings used in the English-speaking world from Asia, Africa, Middle East, and many other cultures. Find phrases on all aspects of life in this fascinating little book.
- GenresReferenceNonfiction
512 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 2, 2023
A nice little book with a collection of proverbs (mainly English, but some also from around the world) and sayings.
The proverbs are arranged by theme, and at the beginning of each theme there is a small paragraph about the characteristics of the corresponding proverbs. When it is required there are information explaining more so the saying, which is quite useful. There are also information about the origins of the proverb, regarding time and place.
Most of them are successful and haven't lost their usefulness even in modern days; there are however a few that are a bit outdated and archaic. The other thing that I didn't like much is the fact that some sayings in this collection are in fact modern advertisements quotes, not proverbs at all.
The sayings that I liked the most are the following:
An army of stags led by a lion would be more formidable than one of lions led by a stag.
Business is like a car: it will not run by itself except downhill.
Never trouble trouble till trouble troubles you.
No matter how long a log floats in the river, it will never become a crocodile.
Better a good cow than a cow of a good kind.
A golden key can open any door.
After the game, the king and the pawn go into the same box.
You can only die once.
The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.
Idleness is never enjoyable unless there is plenty to do.
If you have two coins, use one to buy bread, the other to buy hyacinths.
A deaf husband and a blind wife are always a happy couple.
If anything can go wrong, it will.
A watched pot never boils.
Laugh and the world laughs with you, weep and you weep alone.
Man fears Time, but Time fears the Pyramids.
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog (all the letters of the alphabet).
The proverbs are arranged by theme, and at the beginning of each theme there is a small paragraph about the characteristics of the corresponding proverbs. When it is required there are information explaining more so the saying, which is quite useful. There are also information about the origins of the proverb, regarding time and place.
Most of them are successful and haven't lost their usefulness even in modern days; there are however a few that are a bit outdated and archaic. The other thing that I didn't like much is the fact that some sayings in this collection are in fact modern advertisements quotes, not proverbs at all.
The sayings that I liked the most are the following:
An army of stags led by a lion would be more formidable than one of lions led by a stag.
Business is like a car: it will not run by itself except downhill.
Never trouble trouble till trouble troubles you.
No matter how long a log floats in the river, it will never become a crocodile.
Better a good cow than a cow of a good kind.
A golden key can open any door.
After the game, the king and the pawn go into the same box.
You can only die once.
The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.
Idleness is never enjoyable unless there is plenty to do.
If you have two coins, use one to buy bread, the other to buy hyacinths.
A deaf husband and a blind wife are always a happy couple.
If anything can go wrong, it will.
A watched pot never boils.
Laugh and the world laughs with you, weep and you weep alone.
Man fears Time, but Time fears the Pyramids.
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog (all the letters of the alphabet).
August 15, 2019
The proverbs are organised according to subject: e.g. luck, faith, war, etc. There were at least one or two proverbs I recognised in each category, but many of them I'd never heard of, and quite a few of them I wouldn't call "proverbs" at all. The author includes their origin/source, and some of them were from movies, the army, and things like that... could those really be called "proverbs", especially if the source was so obscure that I'm sure few to none have ever come across them? Also, the phrasing (mainly grammatical) of several proverbs isn't exactly as they're commonly used.
December 2, 2020
comfort reading during the pandemic
April 2, 2024
Perhaps not a cover-to-cover riveting read, but great for dipping in and out of for the occasional bit of insight. Also great if you need a quote for any reason.
August 5, 2024
Paper is patient.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews