Picturesque Expressions: A Thematic Dictionary

A Collection of more than 7,000 colorful expressions and idioms---some new, some old, some borrowed, some blue. Many are of obscure origin: only specialized dictionaries provide etymological information about them.

In "Picturesque Expressions," a book that has become the standard, these expressions are collected under 407 useful thematic categories (like ACCOMPLISHMENT, DECADENCE, DOMINATION, DOWNFALL, DRUNKENNESS, LOVE, LUST) that enable users to find expressions to suit their needs. A 47-page Index lists all expressions, their variants,details buried in the entries, and allow the book's use as a dictionary.

Some speakers always "beat about the bush" or go "around Robin Hood's barn," while others "pull no punches" and "call a spade a spade." Experts "know the ropes"; greenhorns are "wet behind the ears." "Red-letter days" may find us "on cloud nine" and "in fine fettle"; but a "bad break" can put us "out of sorts" or "under the weather."

"Picturesque Expressions" comes through "with flying colors" and wins "hands down"; by having the "inside track," it "keeps one jump ahead" of similar books and "steals a march" on the competition.