Dictionary of Catchphrases

This wide-ranging A-Z guide to over 1,200 popular expressions uncovers amusing origins of both traditional and modern sayings. "A picture is worth a thousand words" is historically believed to be a Chinese proverb. In reality, it appeared in the Printer's Ink paper in 1927, where the real author credited a Chinese source "so that people would take it more seriously". Did you know that a Listerine Mouthwash commercial is to be thanked for the phrase "Always a bridesmaid, never a bride?" So go ahead, "Eat your heart out". After all, "You ain't seen nothin' yet!"