Similes Dictionary

Packed with more than 16,000 imaginative, colorful phrases—from “abandoned as a used Kleenex” to “quiet as an eel swimming in oil”—this reference will help any politician, writer, or lover of language find the perfect simile, be it original or banal, verbose or succinct. Citing more than 2,000 sources—from the Bible, Socrates, Shakespeare, Mark Twain, and H. L. Mencken to popular movies, music, and television shows—the Simile Dictionary covers hundreds of subjects broken into thematic categories that include topics such as virtue, anger, age, ambition, importance, and youth, helping readers find the fitting phrase quickly and easily. Perfect for setting the atmosphere, making a point, and or helping spin a tale with economy, intelligence, and ingenuity, the similes found in this collection, where pithy and poetic sayings are “as plentiful as blackberries” (Shakespeare) and quotes are “as useful as a Swiss army knife” (anonymous), will inspire anyone.

About the Author :
Elyse Sommer is the author or editor of numerous titles, including "Discovering Literature," "The Kids' World Almanac of Music," "Metaphors Dictionary," and "Strategies for Reading and Arguing About Literature." She is the editor, publisher, and chief critic of the online theater magazine Curtainup.com. She lives in Forest Hills, New York.

Review :
"For writers, speakers, and general readers, 16,000 similes drawn from sources as diverse as the Bible, Socrates, Shakespeare, Mark Twain, H.L. Mencken, movies, music, and TV shows, and arranged into about 1,300 thematic categories."-- Book News "If this book could speak, it would be "a grand rolling voice, like the sound of an underground train in the distance." This dictionary is chock-full of this and 16,000 other creative entries. A good tool for writers, students, and those looking for inspiration."-- Booklist "Designed as a thesaurus for writers and speakers, the second edition of this phrase book fulfills its purpose admirably. Readers may use the Similes Dictionary to provide examples of similes; to find a specific simile, or one by a particular author; or to while away an enjoyable evening. The low price makes this title "as cheap as pearls are costly" (Robert Browning). It is a worthy addition to reference collections. Recommended."-- Choice "a useful tool for writers, public speakers, and those who just need an occasional creative communication spark."-- Christian Library Journal "... a solid addition to a library's collection ... Of interest to puzzle-solvers, authors and speechwriters."-- Library Journal "For writers, speakers, and general readers, 16,000 similes drawn from sources as diverse as the Bible, Socrates, Shakespeare, Mark Twain, H.L. Mencken, movies, music, and TV shows, and arranged into about 1,300 thematic categories."— Book News "If this book could speak, it would be “a grand rolling voice, like the sound of an underground train in the distance.” This dictionary is chock-full of this and 16,000 other creative entries. A good tool for writers, students, and those looking for inspiration."— Booklist "Designed as a thesaurus for writers and speakers, the second edition of this phrase book fulfills its purpose admirably. Readers may use the Similes Dictionary to provide examples of similes; to find a specific simile, or one by a particular author; or to while away an enjoyable evening. The low price makes this title “as cheap as pearls are costly” (Robert Browning). It is a worthy addition to reference collections. Recommended."— Choice "a useful tool for writers, public speakers, and those who just need an occasional creative communication spark."— Christian Library Journal "... a solid addition to a library’s collection ... Of interest to puzzle-solvers, authors and speechwriters."— Library Journal