Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, 19th Edition
An idiosyncratic adventure, pulling you in and saying: "this is, in fact, not what you were looking for; but it's much more interesting." Terry Pratchett Of all the dictionaries in the world [Brewer's] is the most like a treasure-hunt, where one phrase leads to another, and that to a third, and before you know what's happened, it's time for lunch. Philip Pullman Brewer's head-words are so enticing and his definitions so eloquent that it's impossible to stop at one. An addiction may develop. Carol Rumens, The Independent 'By judicious updating and editing and by dint of its elegant design and printing, this latest edition retains as strong a place in its reference market niche as it ever did; long may that continue.' Stuart James, Past Editor, Reference Reviews, and formerly University Librarian, University of Paisley, UK Off each page of Brewer's leaps some titbit of cultural or linguistic miscellany, much of which this reader didn't even know that he didn't know. Brewer's is great for unknown unknowns and gives the user a serendipitous adventure. The Economist It's the sense of alphabetical happenstance that so enchants the reader today. Open the book anywhere and find a charming list of of incongruous items. Irresistible. The Lady An excellent present for the person who has everything... The Oldie It encourages browsing for the sheer pleasure of it. Times Literary Supplement An essential part of a working library. Times Literary Supplement