In Dictionary of Proverbs and their Origins Linda and Roger Flavell trace the origins and histories of over 400 proverbs, detailing their meaning and usage. Changes of meaning and usage that have affected the life of each proverb are also cited. Quotations drawn from classic and popular literature help to illustrate a proverb's specific meaning or to clarify a change in meaning over time. Variant expressions of the proverb, if any, are included. Interspersed with the proverbs themselves are short essays and vignettes on topics related to matters proverbial, including types of proverbs, misquoted proverbs, proverbs that contradict each other, the relationship between graffiti and proverbs, geographical proverbs, and the slippery psychology of the proverb. While the proverbs themselves are arranged alphabetically by theme or main word, there is a helpful index that references all the major words of each proverb. Used Book in Good Condition