Summary
Praise for the previous edition:
"This book is a must for writers, editors, students, and language lovers. It is also an irresistible resource for browsers and the curious."—American Reference Books Annual
"A valuable resource for students, writers, and readers..."—Choice
"Recommended for larger public libraries."—Library Journal
Ralph Waldo Emerson once described the English language as "the sea which receives tributaries from every region under heaven." We dip into this sea more often than we realize, sprinkling our writings and everyday conversations with words and phrases derived from other languages. The Facts On File Dictionary of Foreign Words and Phrases, Second Edition presents information on the origins and usage of more than 4,500 of these expressions.
This invaluable dictionary clarifies and explains words and phrases spanning a wide range of fields, from law and music to philosophy and cuisine. Entries include pronunciations in American English, parts of speech and other relevant grammatical information, languages of origin, concise definitions, examples of use, and etymological backgrounds. More than 500 entries have been added to this edition.
New and updated coverage includes:
- Terms that have become more frequently used in contemporary English, such as retro and sudoku
- More prefixes and suffixes, such as eco- and -fest
- Terms relating to food, such as panini, burrito, provolone, and wasabi
- Terms relating to religions, such as Veda
- Miscellaneous new terms, such as dreck, madrasa, and tort
- 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, and The Facts On File Dictionary of Classical and Biblical Allusions. His other books include the Zondervan Dictionary of Bible Themes, Macmillan Dictionary of the Bible, and Learner's Dictionary of English Idioms. He lives in England.