The Oxford Dictionary of Idioms

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Did you know that 'flavour of the month' originated in a 1940s marketing campaign in American ice-cream parlours, promoting a specific flavour each month? Or that 'off the cuff' refers to writing impromptu notes on one's shirt cuff before public speaking? This second edition of the Oxford Dictionary of Idioms delves into these and many other idiomatic phrases that enrich the English language. It features over 5000 entries, including 350 new idioms and more than 500 new quotations, reflecting the latest findings from the Oxford English Reading Programme, the largest language research initiative globally. Each entry is accompanied by illustrative quotations from diverse sources and eras, such as a 2003 Guardian comment on J.K. Rowling and a 1940 quip from P.G. Wodehouse. Additionally, many entries include boxed features that provide deeper insights into the idioms, like the nautical origins of 'taken aback,' which describes a ship hindered by a strong headwind. The text has been elegantly redesigned for ease of use, making it a delightful resource for anyone intrigued by the quirky aspects of the English language, offering hours of enjoyable exploration.