The Facts on File Dictionary of Cultural and Historical Allusions

Book excerpt: "I coulda been a contender." Molotov cocktail. Catch 22. Beatrice. Our language is chock-full of allusions: terms, names, and phrases that have been shorthanded for certain attributes or circumstances. This dictionary explains the current meanings and original contexts of more than 1,500 allusions of the past millennium drawn from history, literature, art, and mass culture. Eminently useful and fun to browse, this is an essential resource for writers, students, and general readers. Sample entries include: Apple pie: A quintessential American dish that has become a metaphor for American values; K-Mart: The name of this department store chain has become a symbol of bargain-basement products; Wall Street: The location of the Stock Exchange brings to mind huge financial deals, insider trading, and greed.