Dictionary of Historical Allusions & Eponyms
By: Dorothy Auchter.
Publisher: ABC-CLIO; ABC-CLIO, LLC
Published: 1998
Place of publication: Santa Barbara, Calif
Language: eng
Format: HC
Number of pages: 295
Subjects: Allusions -- Dictionaries.; Eponyms -- Dictionaries.; History -- Dictionaries.
Other titles: Dictionary of historical allusions and eponyms; Historical allusions & eponyms; Historical allusions and eponyms
First sentence: It is doubtful if many of the people who use the expression "Draconian Justice" as a reference to harsh repercussions have any idea who Draco was.
Description: rear dust jacket:
Jezebel is an example of an eponym, a person whose name has evolved into a common noun or verb. In addition to eponyms, the English language is peppered with historical allusions that have become disassociated from their original context. How many people realize that the phrase "mad as a hatter" refers to the dementia suffered by Victorian hatmakers, who were poisoned by the mercury used in their craft? This work is the first reference book in English specifically devoted to uncovering the origins of these unique words and phrases. It provides a concise definition of the contemporary meaning of each term, followed by a detailed explanation of the events that gave rise to it. The 750 entries encompass allusions and eponyms from all eras of history.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: Preface
pagenum: vii; title: Acknowledgments
pagenum: ix; title: Dictionary of Historical Allusions & Eponyms
pagenum: 1; title: Subject Index
pagenum: 285