The Cassell dictionary of clichés

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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!" 240 pages, 5 x 7 3/4.