"I coulda been a contender." Molotov cocktail. Catch 22. Beatrice. Our language is chock-full of allusions: terms, names, and phrases that have been shorthanded for certain attributes or circumstances. This dictionary explains the current meanings and original contexts of more than 1,500 allusions of the past millennium drawn from history, literature, art, and mass culture. Eminently useful and fun to browse, this is an essential resource for writers, students, and general readers. Sample entries include: Apple pie: A quintessential American dish that has become a metaphor for American values; K-Mart: The name of this department store chain has become a symbol of bargain-basement products; Wall Street: The location of the Stock Exchange brings to mind huge financial deals, insider trading, and greed.

This indispensable work is a comprehensive resource offering abundant information that students and general readers of all ages will find clear and to the point. A useful companion to The Facts On File Dictionary of Cultural and Historical Allusions explains the meanings and origins of allusions from the Bible and classical mythology, including Greek, Roman, Norse, Celtic, and Egyptian. It features approximately 2,000 entries, from Abelard and Heloise to Zeus. It covers biblical and mythological figures (Narcissus, Athena, Daniel), places (Mount Olympus, Gesthemane, Elysian Fields), key concepts (doomsday, utopia), and other references with biblical and mythological origins (judgment of Solomon, salt of the earth, patience of Job, labors of Hercules). It also includes a pronunciation key for difficult words or terms; examples of usage; and extensive cross-references.

A comprehensive guide to allusions in the English language.

Drawing from history, folklore, cultural traditions, and linguistics, this dictionary illuminates over 550 terms, such as scapegoat, John Hancock, peeping Tom, nepotism, and many others.