Dictionary of English Colloquial Idioms [antikvár]

Introduction The title of the original version of this book was English Colloquial Idioms. It lacked a preface or introduction as F. T. Wood died before it was completed. As in his other books, its explanations were informal, avoiding abbreviations and grammatical terms where possible. Title In producing this revision, I have given a slightly changed emphasis. When I compared the contents of the earlier edition with F. T. Wood's English Verbal Idioms, I discovered that there was some duplication in the two books. Where appropriate, the verbal idioms are marked 'colloquial' in the other book, and by omitting such duplicates in the revised book, there was space to put in many new items. Presentation In deference to F. T. Wood, I have basically retained his style: explanations are of a kind which would be suitable in a lesson. As a dictionary of colloquialisms, it was in serious need of being brought up to date. Entries are written especially with the needs of the foreign student in mind. (It is interesting to see how many of the nouns are uncountable—it would seem that English tends to prefer them to countable nouns!) In a few cases, I have grouped a number of near synonyms under one heading (see drunk, nervy, telephone), as I felt users would find them more useful when seen together. Register In working on the revision, I was repeatedly reminded of the clear distinction between what we used to call 'written and spoken English'. While still in part referring to the same things, teachers and linguists are now likely to refer to different 'registers'. This dictionary mainly deals with informal/familiar/friendly English, whereas most text books of English for foreigners present English of the formal/written, and of the standard/'safe' middle register only. This informal/colloquial English is not so often written, though it is to be found in personal letters, direct speech in fiction, advertisements, and in popular newspapers. It is the spoken English used between equals; it implies friendliness, varies very iii