Dictionary of Cliches. By Better Kirkaptrick. ( Bloomsbury, £6.99 in UK)

Beginning with a look at what actually makes a clichΘ ( essentially an overused term or idea) and an explanation of different…

Beginning with a look at what actually makes a clichΘ ( essentially an overused term or idea) and an explanation of different types, this book moves from "absence makes the heart grow fonder" to "zero hour" via 1,300 snippets of language that the reader will instantly recognise. Each entry is enriched with a definition, example of usage, and a look at the possible origins of the phrase. While the nature of this book means it is unlikely to cause "the earth to move" ( orig. Hemingway. For Whom The Bell Tolls, 1940) in the literary world, it is nonetheless a well-researched and enjoyable piece of work.