A Dictionary of Allusions
A Dictionary of Allusions
Regular price
Checking stock...
Regular price
Checking stock...
Summary
Allusions form a colourful extension to the English Language, drawing on our collective knowledge of literature, mythology, and the Bible to give a literary shorthand for describing people, places, and events. This reference explains the meanings of the allusions in use in modern English.
The feel-good place to buy books
- Free delivery in Ireland
- Supporting authors with AuthorSHARE
- 100% recyclable packaging
- Proud to be a B Corp – A Business for good
- Buy-back with Ziffit

A Dictionary of Allusions by Andrew Delahunty
Allusions form a colourful extension to the English Language, drawing on our collective knowledge of literature, mythology, and the Bible to give us a literary shorthand for describing people, places, and events. So a miser is a Scrooge, a strong man is a Samson or a Hercules, a beautiful woman is a Venus or a modern-day Helen of Troy. We can suffer like Sisyphus, fail like Canute, or linger like the smile of the Cheshire Cat. This reference explains the meanings of the allusions in use in modern English, from Abaddon to Zorro, Tartarus to Tarzan, and Rubens to Rambo. The book is based on a reading programme that has identified the most commonly-used allusions, and quotations are included with most entries to illustrate usage, from a range of authors and sources, from Thomas Hardy to Ben Elton, Charles Dickens to "Bridget Jones's Diary".| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780198600312 |
| ISBN 10 | 0198600313 |
| Title | A Dictionary of Allusions |
| Author | Andrew Delahunty |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Hardback |
| Publisher | Oxford University Press |
| Year published | 2001-07-01 |
| Number of pages | 468 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |