Dictionary of Proverbs: And Their Origins

by Linda Flavell, Roger Flavell

At their best, proverbs represent "the wit of one man and the wisdom of many." Reflecting observations and experiences we all can relate to, proverbs take the plain, unvarnished truth and dress it up in the succinct language of a particular time and place. A browser's delight, this book traces the origins and histories of more than 400 proverbs, detailing their meaning, usage, and variants, and using quotations from classic and popular literature to help illustrate or clarify them. You can reference familiar and less well-known sayings two ways: they are arranged alphabetically by theme, and key words are highlighted in a helpful index at the back of the book. Interspersed are short essays and delightful vignettes on related topics, including misquoted proverbs, proverbs that contradict each other, the relationship between graffiti and proverbs, and the proverb's slippery psychology.

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction, Language

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Bernie4444 · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, you think you know proverbs?

I learned most of my proverbs from the TV on “Aesop and Son”; in the process of telling a fable, the true meaning of the proverb appears. Such as the tale of “The Winking Horse.” “you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him wink.”

Of course, if you do not want to believe the program then you will need this book.

The book attempts to lay out the proverbs in alphabetical order. However, you will probably need to use the index to find the specific one you are looking for.

If you find this review not helpful then all I can say is “Sticks and stones…" :)
Then again “I might as well be hung a sheep as for a lamb.”

Just be aware that “A little learning is a dangerous thing.”

[Benjamin Ried · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is interesting to see how some of the common things we say came in to usage.

[Andromeda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The copy that I have is entitled "Word Power with Proverbs".

[Indah Threez Lestari · Rating 4 out of 5]

67 - 2023

[Lyssa Medana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I confess I used it as a 'bathroom book' to dip into as and when as I am not getting much reading time at the moment and it was ideal.

It is laid out alphabetically by the subject of proverbs, and beneath each subject is a proverb, its likely origin and earliest date and some examples, often from older books and certainly many books I have not read, but will no doubt try and dip into.

I enjoyed it, but probably won't dip into it again. It gives useful information, and is well written and presented, but it isn't something I could easily revisit.

[Bree · Rating 3 out of 5]

a good insight to the origans of some of our oldest sayings and proverbs, however is limited in the chosen proverbs.

[Winifred · Rating 3 out of 5]

very interesting book. I like to learn how these sayings came about.

[Norain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took a very long time to finish. The only thing I do not like about it is the many parts taken from magazines, newspapers and novels to show how the proverbs are being used. Just annoying.

[Sahir D'souza. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book very much. Make that love.

[Mohammad Saifullah · Rating 1 out of 5]

nice