Take My Word for It
A Dictionary of English Idioms
LISTEN: ANATOLY LIBERMAN IN CONVERSATION WITH ARI HOPTMAN AND J. LAWRENCE MITCHELL
Spanning more than three centuries, Take My Word for It is a fascinating, one-of-a-kind window into the surprisingly short history of idioms in English. Widely known for his studies of word origins, Anatoly Liberman explains more than one thousand idioms, both popular and obscure, occurring in both American and British standard English and including many regional expressions.
Take the cake. Raining cats and dogs. By hook or by crook. Curry favor. Drink like a fish. Eat crow. We hear such phrases every day, but this book is the first truly all-encompassing etymological guide to both their meanings and origins. Spanning more than three centuries, Take My Word for It is a fascinating, one-of-a-kind window into the surprisingly short history of idioms in English. Widely known for his studies of word origins, Anatoly Liberman explains more than one thousand idioms, both popular and obscure, occurring in both American and British standard English and including many regional expressions.
The origins, and even the precise meaning, of most idioms are often obscure and lost in history. Based on a critical analysis of countless conjectures, with exact, in-depth references (rare in the literature on the subject), Take My Word for It provides not only a large corpus of idiomatic phrases but also a substantial bibliography. Detailed indexes and a thesaurus make the content accessible at a glance, and Liberman’s introduction and conclusion add historical dimensions. The result of decades of research by a leading authority, this book is both instructive and absorbing for scholars and general readers, who won’t find another resource comparable in scope or based on data even remotely as comprehensive.
Cover alt text: Hand, drawn in early twentieth century style, holds white boardgame card with title and author over orange and yellow cards, each with various idioms.
This is a treasure trove for scholars who enjoy tracing the ever-developing nuances of the English language.
Booklist
If you’ve ever wanted to know the origins of some of the English language’s more colorful expressions you will thoroughly enjoy paging through Anatoly Liberman's new book, Take My Word for It: A Dictionary of English Idioms
Minnesota Alumni
Spanning more than three centuries, Take My Word for It: A Dictionary of English Idioms is a fascinating, one-of-a-kind window into the surprisingly short history of idioms in English.
New Books Network
Liberman writes in a way that is inclusive and accessible for all, creating not only an interesting collection of trivia that would sit attractively on any bookshelf but also providing a sort of study guide for non-native English speakers as they attempt to navigate the intrinsically difficult nature of the language.
Mankato Free Press
Take My Word for It, while impressively scholarly, is also a highly entertaining read.
Star Tribune
Why does so long! mean “goodbye”? Why are hatters proverbially mad? Anatoly Liberman comes to the rescue with his latest book, Take My Word for It: A Dictionary of English Idioms.
The New Criterion
By its very nature Take My Word for It illustrates the wide range of activities that have produced idioms in our language and thereby enriched it beyond measure.
Comments on Etymology
Take My Word for It is a must-have resource for specialists, generalists, and word lovers alike.
CHOICE
Contents
Preface: Idioms in Our Life
A Historian’s View: Idioms as a Late Dessert
Sources and Abbreviations
The Idioms, A to Z
Indexes
Word Index
Name Index
Theme Index
