allusions

A thematic dictionary, organized by over 730 categories, with entries for allusions, drawn from culture, literature, religion, and history, which can be found in everyday reading and speech.

Relates the origins and contemporary meaning of more than 550 familiar words and phrases such as "eat crow," "scapegoat," and "tar and feather," each followed by a list of references; arranged alphabetically, with a subject index.

Defines 501 expressions and offers an example of each from today's newspapers, magazines, books, and sometimes comics.

Provides the meanings and origins of over twenty-thousand terms in religion, mythology, philosophy, literature, etc.

Encompasses real, fictitious, and mythical names from history, romance, the arts, science, and fable, and phrases, superstitions, and customs ancient and contemporary.