Adrian Room

Who's Who in Classical Mythology

Dictionary of Trade Name Origins

"The present volume is a radically revised and enlarged edition, with over 2,000 new entries for a total of 11,000 and a new introduction. New or expanded information has been added to many of the entries. A new appendix is devoted to terms relating to pseudonymous and changed names. More emphasis has been put on the change of an individual's first name, as well as his or her surname. Arranged by pseudonym, the entries give the true name, vital dates, country of origin or settlement, and profession. Many entries include the story behind the person's name change." --Book Jacket.

11,000 Assumed Names and Their Origins

Dictionary of Pseudonyms

"This type of geographical dictionary lists past and present alternate names of more than 7,000 places. It focuses on placenames with official or semiofficial status rather than nicknames or colloquial abbreviations. It comments on names and their origins where appropriate. Appendices focus on placenames in non-English languages and on places which have been renamed in fictional works"--Provided by publisher.

A Worldwide Dictionary

Alternate Names of Places

Stories of Pseudonyms and Name Changes with a Who's who

Naming Names

Examines the meanings of the names of figures in the mythology of ancient Greece and Rome

The Origins of the Names of Characters in Classical Mythology

Room's Classical Dictionary

Information on more than 660 terms used in onomastics, the study of names.

An Alphabetical Guide to the Language of Name Studies

This dictionary of French placenames includes rivers, lakes, islands, mountains, cities, towns, villages, and modern and historic regions. Five appendices cover French habitative names, Revolutionary renamings in France, Paris Metro stations, and major placenames in Paris.

Over 4000 Towns, Villages, Natural Features, Regions and Departments

Placenames of France

"This reference provides a user-friendly pronunciation guide for over 12,000 placenames worldwide. From Aachen, Germany (pronounced Ah kun) to Zywiec, Poland (pronounced Zhi vets), entries include familiar world placenames, both historic and current, as w

The Pronunciation of Placenames

Room's Dictionary of Distinguishables

"Many places in the world, from the smallest settlement to the largest expanse of land or water, have a secondary name. This new dictionary is devoted to over 4,500 such names. The Dictionary entries are arranged alphabetically by secondary name and include the city's real name, its location, and an explanation of the secondary name"--Provided by publisher.

Origins and Meanings of the Alternate and Secondary Names, Sobriquets, Titles, Epithets and Slogans for 4600 Places Worldwide

Nicknames of Places

Dictionary of World Place Names Derived from British Names

Humankind have long viewed animals as if they shared human characteristics. Naturally this view is expressed in the naming of the beloved family pet, a farm animal, a race horse, an exotic bird, an insect, or any other animal. Arranged by type of name (genetic, descriptive, incident, link, group, pedigree and show, horse and hound, farm, famous, mythical and legendary, and fictional), this is a reference to how people name animals. For each type there is an introductory section followed by numerous examples with the stories behind the particular name.

An Appellative Reference to Domestic, Work and Show Animals Real and Fictional

The Naming of Animals

Arranged by type of name (generic, descriptive, incident, link, group, pedigree and show, horse and hound, farm, famous, mythical and legendary, and fictional), this is a reference to how people name animals. For each type there is an introductory section followed by numerous examples with the stories behind the particular name.

An Appellative Reference to Domestic, Work, and Show Animals, Real and Fictional

The titles are primarily from fiction (including, along with novels, particularly important poetry, plays, and short stories), though a few are from literary works of nonfiction. Each entry gives title, author, year of publication, and a detailed explanation of the story behind the title.

A Dictionary of the Origins of the Titles of Over 1300 Major Literary Works of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries

Literally Entitled

The specialized jargon of some sports can be quite esoteric. Non-Americans, for example, are likely puzzled by baseball terms such as bunt, cut-off man, and safety squeeze, while the non-British may pause over cricket's Chinaman, doosra, golden duck, off-break, popping crease, and yorker. This new dictionary gives the definitions of more than 8,000 terms used in sports and games from around the world, including mainstream sports like basketball and billiards alongside the more obscure netball and snooker. Entries cover sports equipment, strategies, venues, qualifying categories, awards, and administrative bodies, while a comprehensive system of cross-references offers assistance and clarification when needed. An appendix lists standard abbreviations of sports ruling bodies and administrative organizations.

Dictionary of Sports and Games Terminology

John Ayto

Ebenezer Cobham Brewer

Originally published in 1870, a colorful reference has been updated to include the newest coinages and complements the entries with informative articles on mythology, religion, folk customs, superstitions, and beliefs.

Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, 16e

The specialized jargon of some sports can be quite esoteric. Non-Americans, for example, are likely puzzled by baseball terms such as bunt, cut-off man, and safety squeeze, while the non–British may pause over cricket’s Chinaman, doosra, golden duck, off-break, popping crease, and yorker. This new dictionary gives the definitions of more than 8,000 terms used in sports and games from around the world, including mainstream sports like basketball and billiards alongside the more obscure netball and snooker. Entries cover sports equipment, strategies, venues, qualifying categories, awards, and administrative bodies, while a comprehensive system of cross-references offers assistance and clarification when needed. An appendix lists standard abbreviations of sports ruling bodies and administrative organizations.

The 16th edition of this classic reference offers information about thousands of phrases and expressions which are not dealt with in conventional dictionaries. There are entries on people and events from mythology, the Bible, literature and history. Altogether, there are 18,500 main entries and thousands of sub-entries, and this edition contains 700 new entries, including contemporary phrases and expressions, and historic and fictional characters. Major new thematic entries deal with subjects such as hurricane names and mispronounced words. There is also enhanced coverage of present-day idiomatic expressions, including the full monty, all dressed up and nowhere to go, back to the drawing board and couch potato.

Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase & Fable

"Dr Brewer's classic work of reference, fully revised and updated for the millennium, now available in paperback"

Adrian Room

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