Summary
The Facts On File Dictionary of Allusions provides a comprehensive guide to allusions in the English language. Approximately 4,000 entries explore well-known events, places, people, and phenomena whose names have acquired linguistic significance, conveying a particular message beyond a mere reference to the objects referred to. Entries are drawn from a wide range of sources, including Shakespeare and the Bible; Greek, Roman, and Norse mythology; texts from literature through the ages; historical events; popular culture; and film and television. Individual entries contain pronunciation guides, definitions, examples, information on derived forms, and more. An index, guide to use, and cross-references round out this accessible dictionary.
Entries include:
- Achilles' heel
- Godzilla
- Indiana Jones
- Phoenix rising from the ashes
- Svengali
- and much more.
About the Author(s)
Martin H. Manser has been a professional reference book writer and editor since 1980. He is the author of The Facts On File Guide to Good Writing; The Facts On File Guide to Style; The Facts On File Dictionary of Proverbs, Second Edition; and The Facts On File Dictionary of Foreign Words and Phrases, Second Edition. His other books include Zondervan Dictionary of Bible Themes, Macmillan Dictionary of the Bible, and Learner's Dictionary of English Idioms. He lives in England.
David H. Pickering is an experienced freelance writer and editor who has compiled numerous reference books in the fields of language, the arts, and popular reference. His books range from dictionaries and encyclopedias to volumes of quotations and works on such diverse topics as folklore, first names, theater, and biography.