A Concise Dictionary of Phrase and Fable

This dictionary explains the origins of 1500 of the most common English words and phrases. Many go back to the earliest civilizations, showing how our daily English draws from a variety of language and cultures. Explanations for such phrases as bats in the belfrey, the cuckoo in the nest, the fly in the ointment, the fleas in the ear and the dog in the manger are included. Brian Phythian is the author of "A Concise Dictionary of Confusables", "English Slang, English Idioms" and "Foreign Expressions".