"The Facts on File Dictionary of Allusions" provides a comprehensive guide to allusions in the English language. In approximately 4,000 entries, this new resource explores well-known events, places, people, and phenomena whose names have acquired linguistic significance, conveying a particular message beyond a mere reference to the objects referred to. The entries are drawn from a wide range of sources, including Shakespeare and the Bible; Greek, Roman, and Norse mythology; texts from literature through the ages; historical events; popular culture; and film and television. Individual entries contain pronunciation guides, definitions, examples, information on derived forms, and more. An index, bibliography, and cross-references round out this accessible dictionary....

Mastering the art of writing is one of the most important, yet most challenging tasks for many people. Without proper writing skills, completing the easiest assignment can quickly become an insurmountable problem. From English to business to economics, writing is an essential skill for nearly every subject and career. Offering clear, straightforward guidance, The Facts On File Guide to Good Writing outlines the basics of writing for anyone looking to improve writing skills or knowledge of the English language. Coverage includes: Preparing to write: thinking, researching, and planning; Writing your document: finding a voice and composing paragraphs; Revising your document: editing, proofreading, and checking for consistency; Grammar: parts of speech, phrases, and sentences; Words in use: vocabulary, spelling, sensitive terms, and slang; Words often confused: misspelled or misused words; Punctuation: capital letters, commas, periods, and more; Reference resources: dictionaries, thesauruses, and other sources. From grammar and its correct usage to the process of drafting and editing a variety of written communications, this guide is an essential tool for anyone who uses the English language....

Ralph Waldo Emerson once described the English language as "the sea which receives tributaries from every region under heaven." We dip into this sea more often than we realize, sprinkling our writings and everyday conversations with words and phrases derived from other languages. "The Facts On File Dictionary of Foreign Words and Phrases, Second Edition" presents new and updated information on the origins and usage of more than 4,500 of these expressions.This invaluable dictionary clarifies and explains words and phrases spanning a wide range of fields, from law and music to philosophy and cuisine. Entries include pronunciations in American English, parts of speech and other relevant grammatical information, languages of origin, concise definitions, examples of use, and etymological backgrounds. More than 500 entries have been added to this new edition.New and updated coverage includes: terms that have become more frequently used in contemporary English, such as retro and sudoku; more prefixes and suffixes, such as eco- and -fest; terms relating to food, such as panini, burrito, provolone, and wasabi; terms relating to religions, such as Veda; and, miscellaneous new terms, such as dreck, madrasa, and tort and much more....

A proverb is a saying, usually short, that expresses a general truth about life. Proverbs give advice, make an observation, or present a lesson in a succinct and memorable way. We use proverbs or allude to them often in everyday speech. Some examples of proverbs include: Better safe than sorry; The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence; If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. "The Facts On File Dictionary of Proverbs, Second Edition" includes more than 1,700 English-language proverbs - with 200 new - that are widely recognized today. Arranged alphabetically, entries provide the meaning of each proverb, the date it was first recorded, variant forms of the proverb, other proverbs that are similar and opposite to it in meaning, and examples of the proverbs used. This fascinating dictionary will provide readers and students with insight into this unique aspect of our language. This new edition has been expanded to include more familiar, long-established proverbs (such as "Call a spade a spade"; "It takes one to know one"; and "Worse things happen at sea") as well as a selection of more modern ones (such as "You snooze, you lose" and "Men are from Mars, women are from Venus"). Existing entries have been updated to include modern variants (such as "The e-mail of the species is more deadly than the mail," instead of "The female of the species is deadlier than the male" and "The geek shall inherit the earth," a variant of "The meek shall inherit the earth"). Additional, all-new features include boxes containing selected lists of proverbs from other languages and cultures....

This is an indispensable guide to more than 4,500 foreign expressions in the English language."The Facts On File Dictionary of Foreign Words and Phrases, Second Edition" presents new and updated information on the origins and usage of more than 4,500 foreign expressions.This invaluable dictionary clarifies and explains words and phrases spanning a wide range of fields, from law and music to philosophy and cuisine. Entries include pronunciations in American English, parts of speech and other relevant grammatical information, languages of origin, concise definitions, examples of use, and etymological backgrounds. More than 500 entries have been added to this new edition.New and updated coverage includes: terms that have become more frequently used in contemporary English, such as retro and sudoku; more prefixes and suffixes, such as eco- and -fest; terms relating to food, such as panini, burrito, provolone, and wasabi; terms relating to religions, such as Veda; miscellaneous new terms, such as dreck, madrasa, and tort; and, much more....

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