The Dictionary of Modern Proverbs

This extensive collection of proverbs, all coined after 1900, reflects the experiences and perplexities of the modern world

"You can't unring a bell." "It takes a village to raise a child." "Life is just a bowl of cherries." We sometimes think of proverbs as expressions of ancient wisdom, but in fact new proverbs are constantly arising. This unique volume is devoted exclusively to English-language proverbs that originated in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. The most complete and accurate such collection ever compiled, The Dictionary of Modern Proverbs presents more than 1,400 individual proverbs gathered and researched with the help of electronic full-text databases not previously used for such a project.

Entries are organized alphabetically by key words, with information about the earliest datable appearance, origin, history, and meaning of each proverb. Mundane or sublime, serious or jocular, these memorable sayings represent virtually every aspect of the modern experience. Readers will find the book almost impossible to put down once opened; every page offers further proof of the immense vitality of proverbs and their colorful contributions to the oral traditions of today.

This extensive collection of proverbs, all coined after 1900, reflects the experiences and perplexities of the modern world

With its focus on proverbs that originated since 1900, this rich collection of 1,400 sayings drawn from newspapers, songs, and films is the first to use recently digitized sources to provide more accurate attributions. Alphabetized by keyword with information about each proverb's earliest datable appearance, origin, history, and meaning, the work is endlessly entertaining.--Library Journal-- "Library Journal"
"It's a fabulous book, certainly the most enjoyable one I've read this year."--Ben Yagoda, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Lingua Franca blog--Ben Yagoda "The Chronicle of Higher Education"
Selected as a Choice Outstanding 2012 Title for Humanities within the Reference category.--Outstanding Academic Title "Choice" (5/22/2013 12:00:00 AM)