The Wordsworth Dictionary of Proverbs A Lexicon of Folklore and Traditional Wisdom

This comprehensive collection was compiled from the author's original and painstaking research of nearly 3,000 works dating as far back as the 12th century and earlier, including Chaucer and Shakespeare. Built upon the foundations of the great Oxford English Dictionary, this book traces the origins and history of English proverbs and proverbial phrases. The proverbs are grouped alphabetically and by subject, with copious cross-references throughout. A great joy to consult and to browse through.