Reference Special: Quotation Dictionaries
Today I'm in a rush, I have a lot to do! It probably took me longer to select a reference book to write about today than it will take for me to write this. So, this got me thinking about hurrying... what helps when you're in a hurry? I have a lot of ideas about this, but I settled on something that will help you say a lot in a short amount of time (and space).
Recently I was talking with a class about how a picture can say 1,000 words. Along those same lines, starting out with a short, pithy quote can really set the tone for what you're trying to say.
I distinctly remember being introduced to quotation dictionaries in junior high. (Oddly, this is not the first time today that a memory of junior high was triggered!) It was one of the few times I ever went into the school's library after elementary school--a class trip, probably for English class. My memory is foggy, but it goes something like, "Wow! Abraham Lincoln said that?!"
Some of you may already be familiar with Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, but I grabbed a more modern volume--The Oxford Dictionary of American Quotations (Ref. PN6081.A623 2006, Eiche Library Reference Collection).
They way they work is you look up the idea, place, person, or quality you're interested in and the book will give you a selection of famous and/or meaningful quotes to choose from. What's unique about this particular title is that (from the "Introduction," p. vii), "It is a collection, organized along historical lines, of nearly six thousand memorable quotations on more than five hundred some aspects of American life and culture."
So, under the entry for "love," you can read what Benjamin Franklin had to say about love in 1755 ("If you would be loved, love and be lovable.") -- what Emily Dickinson had to say about love in the 19th century -- and what 20th century icons like Robert Frost have to say ("Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired."). Humorously reflecting what may be a 20th century attitude toward love, comedian Lily Tomlin said "If love is the answer, could you rephrase the question?"
The words of Golda Meir speak to me: "I must govern the clock, not be governed by it."
Didn't find what you were looking for? The book also has a keyword index in the back, either for quick scanning or to find "Tippecanoe and Tyler too" (Whig campaign slogan, 1840) under the heading "political slogans" (see p. 514 to learn what that means). In the author index you can find direction to all those thoughtful Lincoln quotes. Maybe one will trigger more memories of 8th grade for me!
I could write a year's worth of entries about the wonders of titles in the language section of our reference collection, so stay tuned.
Recently I was talking with a class about how a picture can say 1,000 words. Along those same lines, starting out with a short, pithy quote can really set the tone for what you're trying to say.
I distinctly remember being introduced to quotation dictionaries in junior high. (Oddly, this is not the first time today that a memory of junior high was triggered!) It was one of the few times I ever went into the school's library after elementary school--a class trip, probably for English class. My memory is foggy, but it goes something like, "Wow! Abraham Lincoln said that?!"
Some of you may already be familiar with Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, but I grabbed a more modern volume--The Oxford Dictionary of American Quotations (Ref. PN6081.A623 2006, Eiche Library Reference Collection).
They way they work is you look up the idea, place, person, or quality you're interested in and the book will give you a selection of famous and/or meaningful quotes to choose from. What's unique about this particular title is that (from the "Introduction," p. vii), "It is a collection, organized along historical lines, of nearly six thousand memorable quotations on more than five hundred some aspects of American life and culture."
So, under the entry for "love," you can read what Benjamin Franklin had to say about love in 1755 ("If you would be loved, love and be lovable.") -- what Emily Dickinson had to say about love in the 19th century -- and what 20th century icons like Robert Frost have to say ("Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired."). Humorously reflecting what may be a 20th century attitude toward love, comedian Lily Tomlin said "If love is the answer, could you rephrase the question?"
The words of Golda Meir speak to me: "I must govern the clock, not be governed by it."
Didn't find what you were looking for? The book also has a keyword index in the back, either for quick scanning or to find "Tippecanoe and Tyler too" (Whig campaign slogan, 1840) under the heading "political slogans" (see p. 514 to learn what that means). In the author index you can find direction to all those thoughtful Lincoln quotes. Maybe one will trigger more memories of 8th grade for me!
I could write a year's worth of entries about the wonders of titles in the language section of our reference collection, so stay tuned.
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