Product Information
Allusions form a colourful extension to the English language, drawing on our collective knowledge of literature, mythology, and the Bible to give us a literary shorthand for describing people, places, and events. So a miser is a Scrooge, a strong man is a Samson or a Hercules, a beautiful woman is a Venus or a modern-day Helen of Troy - we can suffer like Sisyphus, fail like Canute, or linger like the smile of the Cheshire Cat. This completely new reference work explains the meanings of the allusions in use in modern English, from Abaddon to Zorro, Tartarus to Tarzan, and Rubens to Rambo. This fascinating book is based on an extensive reading programme that has identified the most commonly-used allusions, and quotations are included at most entries to illustrate usage, from a range of authors and sources, from Thomas Hardy to Ben Elton, Charles Dickens to 'Bridget Jones's Diary'.Product Identifiers
PublisherOxford University Press
ISBN-139780198606826
eBay Product ID (ePID)86480364
Product Key Features
Book TitleThe Oxford Dictionary of Allusions
Number of Pages468 Pages
LanguageEnglish
Publication Year2003
TopicLiterature, Education
TypeStudy Guide
AuthorPenelope Stock, Sheila Dignan, Andrew Delahunty
Book SeriesOxford Paperback Reference
Dimensions
Item Height196 mm
Item Weight315 g
Additional Product Features
Country/Region of ManufactureUnited Kingdom
Title_AuthorSheila Dignan, Andrew Delahunty, Penelope Stock