• click here to return to the homepage •
Home > Categories > Books > Reference > Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase And Fable 17th Edition review
A fully revised and updated edition of one of the world's best-loved reference books, bigger and better than ever, and with a creative and imaginative new editor.
'... there's never a dull moment to be had with this great, daft, pointless, wonderful brick of a book' - Amazon.co.uk First published in 1870, Ebenezer Cobham Brewer's treasury of 'words that have a story to tell' is one of the world's best-loved reference books. At the heart of the dictionary lie entries on the meaning and origin of a vast range of words and expressions, from everyday English phrases to Latin tags. For the 17th edition of Brewer's, new editor John Ayto has revised and updated the existing text and added 1500 new articles. The latter include recent words and phrases (Al-Qaeda, 9/11), characters, places (and monsters) from recent fantasy literature (including The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter), famous political and sporting nicknames (Butcher of Baghdad, Goldenballs) and - continuing the century-old Brewer's practice of recording unexpected and fascinating information not available in other general reference books - 'list entries' as diverse as misattributed quotations, the language of text messaging, words and phrases in British Asian English and the 'etymologies' of rock group names.
New entries include: words and phrases (bling, where the bodies are buried); characters and places from fantasy literature and film - including The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter (Gollum, Hogwarts, Obi-Wan Kenobi); political, celebrity and sporting nicknames (Butcher of Baghdad, Chemical Ali, Forces' sweetheart); miscellaneous arcana (Chorasmian Waste, dilligrout, flummadiddle).
Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason 
The Age of Unreason : 2 : A Calculus of Angels
SAfe frOm HaRm
The Mirage Makers 3: Song of the Shiver Barrens
Go the F*ck to Sleep
How to Make a Universe with 92 Ingredients: An Electrifying Guide to the Elements
The Twice-Lived Summer of Bluebell Jones
What Does The Fox Say? 
Bloodtree Chronicles: Bragonsthyme
Corpse Talk Season 2
Sorcery Ascendant 2 - Blood of Innocents
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Illustrated)
Kekeno, Curious ExplorerProduct reviews...
Members are welcome to post a review. You will need to log in to post yours.
Review by: diogenes (Rob)
Dated: 25th of April, 2006
Brewer's is one of those books that should always be on your bookshelf, to look up those nagging questions that one will not necessarily find elsewhere. Those nagging phrases, those odd regiment names, characters from books and a veritable goldmine of trivia and knowledge. The book is unique, an institution even, one that has moved with the times aquiring the new and discarding some of the old and unnecessary verbiage within the hallowed tome.
Ayto, the current editor must be a brave man to take the helm of this revered volume and decide what must go, what must stay and what needs to be added or updated. This must be no mean feat for the weak and feint-hearted - and it was a job Ayto managed with aplomb.
When comparing with my old 'Centenary Edition' (1970 / 12th Edition) one can see just how much this tome has grown in that time, by a full half-inch in thickness! Far more knowledge contained therein for any interested reader can ever hope to assimilate, but to those regular Brewer's buyers, it is a must have, must read and must regularly consult. Terry Pratchett sums it up very nicely in his foreword, which is as much a read as the rest of the book.
If one is unfamiliar with the history or Brewer's - then take look at the introduction too, which contains excepts from the Centuary Edition: A memoire from Captain Hayman - Brewer's Grandson.
To sum up: Brewer's is a logophile's feast, a pedant's dream and and essential reading for who like to dissect old and odd phrases. Brewer's fans are never disappointed; you will not be disappointed to receive this volume into your personal library.
Random listing from 'Books'...
Return to the past with Geronimo Stilton in this fabumouse special edition! Imagine my surprise when I, Geronimo Stilton, was offered the chance to travel back in time again! Professor Paws von Volt entrusted me to lead my family on a secret journey in his new time machine. This voyage took us to ancient Rome, to the great Maya Empire, and to the Palace of Versailles during the age of the Sun King! Along the way I competed in a scary chariot ... more...
All trademarks, images and copyrights on this site are owned by their respective companies.
KIWIreviews is an independent entity, part of the Knock Out News Group. This is a free public forum presenting user opinions on selected products, and as such the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of kiwireviews.nz and are protected under New Zealand law by the "Honest Opinion" clause of the Defamation Act of 1992. KIWIreviews accepts no liability for statements made on this site, on the premise that they have been submitted as the true and honest opinions of the individual posters. In most cases, prices and dates stated are approximate and should be considered as only guidelines.
"In all affairs it's a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted."
Bertrand Russell (1872 - 1970)
