Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Allusions

by Elizabeth Webber and Mike Feinsilber

Book Overview

A guide to references commonly used in speech and writing. Explains more than 900 allusions. Entries include examples from todays leading media. A must for serious readers, language lovers, and ESL... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0877796289
• ISBN13: 9780877796282
• Release Date: January 1999
• Publisher: Merriam-Webster
• Length: 592 Pages
• Weight: 1.27 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.0" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Fabulous!

I am addicted to this amazing little book. If you are at all a fan of language, or if, as many have mentioned, you simply wish to be entertained, this is your book. As would perhaps be expected, its authors are quite erudite themselves, and the journalists and writers that they quote are also top notch. This is my #1 read and I take it everywhere!!! Great for improving one's cultural literacy.

Lots of Content

The Merriam-Webster's dictionary of allusion has far more information than the Oxford Dictionary of Allusion. In addition, the allusions are more contempory than the Oxford. Over a week's time I read the dictionary from cover to cover. I came away with a week's entertainment, a better understanding of some phrases, and understanding of some phrases I had totally misunderstood for years. A fine book, I wish I had bought a hard cover edition.

This book is fun.

I own this book and have given copies away to family and friends. Most people who pick this book up and open it to almost any page will learn something, be reminded of something they forgot, or maybe get straightened out on a misconception they had. Rarely will they put it down without having enjoyed the experience.

When was learning ever this much fun?

Open Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Allusions to any page and you're bound to learn a thing or two..or three...or more. You'll also smile at the journey that brought you to new insights. The authors have done a masterful job of illuminating the language with scholarship and wit. So much brighter, lighter, enlightening and fun than most reference books--but no less useful.

Entertaining and Enlightening

From "Abelard and Heloise" to "Zuzu's Petals", this book provides the history, meaning, and context for many of the creative and colorful allusions that enrich fine writing. For every entry I knew, I found at least a dozen that I either was misinterpreting or just glossed over in my reading. A great book for the reference shelf, bedside or to leave in the bathroom!