An abridged version of Eric Partridge's Dictionary of Catch Phrases, concentrating on those phrases in current use in the English-speaking world.
A catch phrase is a well-known, frequently-used phrase or saying that has `caught on' or become popular over along period of time. It is often witty or philosophical and this Dictionary gathers together over 7,000 such phrases.
'This is an entertaining work, rich in scatalogical and other forms of insult; it contains much material from the two world wars and the field of popular entertainment ... but maintains a fair degree of scholarly detachment'. - The Year's Work in English Studies`A delightful dictionary to browse through.' - Sunday Times`This dictionary can be read for the sheer fun of it - I read it on a rainy holiday and laughed constantly - but it is a useful book as well ... and like Mr. Partridge's dictionaries of slang ... will be indispensable.' - Paul Theroux`This is for dipping, pottering and looking things up ... Much marvellous stuff here. I look forward to continuous pleasure.' - Punch
