This work explains the origins of the familiar and the unfamiliar in everyday speech and literature, including the colloquial and the proverbial. It embraces archaeology, history, religion, the arts, science, mythology and characters from fiction.

A leading authority for over 100 years, this reference book contains more than 20,000 expertly researched definitions for phrases and words most commonly and uncommonly used in literature and everyday speech. An enriching and illuminating reference for students, scholars, word buffs, and readers of all kinds.