Dictionary of Historical Allusions and Eponyms
Description
Short shrift has its origins in the public executions of Renaissance times, when the impatience of the crowd for the main event led to cutting short the last rites performed for the condemned, known as shriving or shrift. Whipping boy originally referred to a boy chosen as companion for a young prince, who would be caned when the prince deserved punishment. The Dictionary of Historical Allusions and Eponyms records the rich and engaging stories behind the history of over 550 words and phrases such as these. Drawing upon historical allusions from sources as varied as the courts of ancient Eg...
ISBN(s)
0874369509, 9780874369502
