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The dictionary gives explanations of the meanings and use of proverbs whenever these are obscure. By means of numerous illustrative quotations it also provides a documentary history of each proverb from its first recorded use in written English, and supplies details of earlier... Read Full Overview

What does "A rising tide lifts all the boats" mean? Where did the saying, "Garbage in, garbage out" come from? And when did "A watched pot never boils" first occur? The answers to these questions are among the many that can be found in the Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs,... Read Full Overview

From Roman times to the computer age, proverbs have added spice to our language. In The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs , an abridgement of The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Proverbs , over 1,000 of these popular phrases are listed by main word, with a documentary... Read Full Overview

From Roman times to the computer age, proverbs have added spice to our language. This new edition of the Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs contains over 1,000 of the best-known proverbs from around the world, including 100 new to this edition. For example, did you know that... Read Full Overview

Proof of the principle, the more the merrier, this is an expanded edition of an ever-popular dictionary. Now reissued and updated, this invaluable work of reference provides the reader with over 1,000 of the best-known English proverbs from around the world. For this third edition... Read Full Overview