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A Dictionary of English Folklore (Oxford Quick Reference)

by Jacqueline Simpson (Author), Steve Roud (Author)

4.8 35 ratings

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Containing 1,250 entries, from dragons to Mother Goose, May Day to Michaelmas, this reference work is an absorbing and entertaining guide to English folklore. Aimed at a broad general readership, the dictionary provides an authoritative reference source on such legendary characters as The Sandman, Jack the Giant Killer, and Robin Hood, and gives entertaining and informative explanations of a wide range of subjects in folklore, from nosebleeds and wishbones to cats and hot cross buns.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The authors, esteemed British folklore experts with many publications to their credit, include a broad range of oral genres, calendar customs, festivals, life-cycle customs, and supernatural and superstitious beliefs.... All are provided with dependable information and references, and the many See and See Also citations add considerably to the book's richness as a reference source."--Library Journal

"A unique contribution to the body of work about folklore."--Booklist

"Superb...every time I dip into it I find myself gripped by item after item that I had no intention of reading."--Richard Morrison, The Times [London]

Book Description

The only paperback dictionary to focus specifically on English Folklore

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Oxford University Press (August 4, 2005)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 432 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0198607660
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0198607663
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.2 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 1 x 7.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #2,784,333 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,613 in English Dictionaries & Thesauruses
- #6,556 in Folklore & Mythology Studies
- #20,274 in Folklore (Books)

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4.8 35 ratings

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4.8 out of 5

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Israel Drazin

This is a wonderful reference book

Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2024

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This is a wonderful reference book. It contains more than 1,250 essays on almost every aspect of life, many holidays, and practices. It is very informative, easy to read, and full of information. It tells us much about history and famous people, even minor days such as the origin of April Fools Day, and much more.

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Yarrow

Terrifying cover, excellent content

Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2014

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I almost didn't buy this book because the cover is aggressively awful. But, I bit the bullet and got it anyway and it is an invaluable resource. That said, I am still sitting here mulling knocking off a star for that leering Punch figure. Yikes! Who thought that was a good idea, when English folklore has so many more appealing images that could have been selected? Oh well. Maybe it will be reissued with more intelligence from the designers and editors at some point in the future.

3 people found this helpful

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Dennis Hendrix

An excellent, scholarly book of British folklore

Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2011

This book has a focus on folk beliefs and customs, but there's plenty of space devoted to children's games, legends, obscure festivals and the various "bugaboos" rumored to haunt the English countryside. Some folklorists are covered, but fortunately don't take up a lot of room. This book is not as deep as some others like the 1,200~ page "Funk and Wagnall's Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology, and Legend" or the 1,000~ page (excluding index) "Facts on File Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend" -- although that one has many articles I'd say they're of less depth.

What makes this book shine is the focus specifically on Britain and the feel of true scholarship. Also the authors fit a lot of information into well-written articles, occasionally with books of this sort it feels like the authors are filling up space with wordiness instead of facts. I also like how the author references older books, tracing the origin of certain beliefs, superstitions and practices. A good example of this is sin-eating, which he traces to a book from the 1600's. There are ten plates in the center of the book on glossy paper, mostly of various festivals. The bibliography is extensive.

Definitely a great book, a little expensive when one compares it to other books available on this topic -- fortunately I found it for $1.50 at a library book sale. Couldn't resist mentioning that!)

4 people found this helpful

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Kensingtonian

Fun way for an anglophile to while away the afternoon.

Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2014

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There is a little bit of everything, and if you are like me you find one entry leading to the rest. I especially liked the article on Bees. You must bring them the news, and if they are really happy they will hum hymns on Christmas day. I hope someday I can make bees hum. Find out about this and many other interesting stuff from the most fascinating island in the world.

2 people found this helpful

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Mr. M. P. Duffy

Worth it's weight in corn dollies!

Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2002

I have read issues of the Folklore journal, and have always been allured by the true origins of folklore, rather than the fanciful relics of ancient practice theories. It's a shame people still believe in this type of theorising whereby one explanation can be stretched to explain everything from corn dollies to the rising price of fish, but hopefully books like this might counterbalance the trend. I find the main culprits are those in the field of withcraft, paganism etc where all too many authors accept & propagate complete rubbish about the past.
This book is an excellent resource of folklore, much of which I have been brought of with or come across. This book has contributed greatly to an understanding of the reasons behind so many things that seem commonplace, such as maypole dancing (which I did as a child at school!), making daisy chains, not stepping on the cracks in pavements etc.
It's one of those books which I tend to flick open, read one entry, refer to another & then find myself wanting to explore the subject further.
One other attraction of this book for me is that it's about my own country. It seems a real shame that so many people in England seem to find other countries so alluring that they completely neglect the vast heritage of their own, turning instead to the East, the Indians etc. This book is a real celebration of our country, and hopefully will bring our customs into the popular consciousness.
However, this book also takes into account the fact that folklore is not dead, it carries on creating itself in the forms of urban legends, rumours etc, and that todays gossip could become tommorows legend.

12 people found this helpful

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Jennifer H. Tavernier

This ROCKS!!!!!

Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2009

Get this book if you are into old english folklore, ballads, events, festivals -

It may say dictionary - but it is a perfect book to just sit sown and graze in - short enough entries, great descriptions, and WOW! as far as love of Old England etall - Definately should be had by anyone who sings, writes, reads, dreams, re-enactment groups - (SCA, Renn Faires, etc)
Totally Jolly and well researched! Wanted MORE!!!!

Totally worth whatever you pay for it -

One person found this helpful

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Rebecca A

Four Stars

Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2016

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Good for library research.

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Top reviews from other countries

GF

Perfect bedside book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 29, 2024

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Full of well-researched entries - stories really - packed with interest.

Locyrn of Lindisfarne

A treasure for anyone interested in English Traditions or Folklore

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 26, 2021

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A wonderful guide to many aspects of English culture that are these days lesser known. I strongly feel this should be on the shelves of every public library.

One person found this helpful

Shelley Radband

A real gem!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 4, 2019

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I am thoroughly enjoying this book. Lots of customs and traditions jam packed into this book. A great book for those wanting to learn a bit about various subjects. If you decide something peeks your interest you can look into other books to further your knowledge.

les w

So much information.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 3, 2013

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Fascinating & useful at the same time.It fills a huge gap in my reference library. startle people with amazing facts.

3 people found this helpful

Colin B.

great seller

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 4, 2020

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