Discover how a Victorian reverend created one of the most eccentric, beloved, and enduring reference books in the English-speaking world, filled with interesting phrases, fables, and quirky words
For over 150 years, Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase & Fable has delighted readers with its treasure trove of peculiar expressions, mythical references, obscure characters, and cultural oddities. Part dictionary, part encyclopaedia, and part whimsical curiosity cabinet, Brewer’s remains one of the most fascinating works ever compiled on how language twists, turns, evolves, and tells stories about us all.
Who Was E. Cobham Brewer?
Ebenezer Cobham Brewer, born in Norwich in 1810, was a British lexicographer with an insatiable appetite for knowledge. The son of a schoolmaster, Brewer studied at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, graduating in Law before eventually being ordained. His mind, however, gravitated towards explaining the world around him. In his early career, he published A Guide to the Scientific Knowledge of Things Familiar, a wildly popular book written in a catechism-style Q&A format that unpacked everyday mysteries like why snow is white or tea cools down.
This instinct to take complicated concepts and turn them into approachable, enjoyable explanations would go on to define Brewer’s life’s work. Upon returning to England from years of travel across Europe, he began jotting down observations, references, and curiosities he encountered in his vast reading. He always kept a pencil and a slip of paper beside him, storing thousands of notes across “different lockers.” These little jottings became the foundation of the most extraordinary dictionary of its kind.
The Birth of Brewer’s and Its Many Lives
The first edition of Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase & Fable appeared in 1870, aimed at readers hungry to understand the origins of idioms, myths, historical references, biblical allusions, literary characters, proverbs, and cultural expressions that filled Victorian conversation. At a time when higher education wasn’t widely accessible, Brewer created a book for anyone curious about the stories and meanings that shaped language.
Its success was immediate. In 1895, shortly before his death, Brewer himself published a monumental “New Edition revised, corrected, and enlarged,” a staggering 1440-page compendium that solidified his legacy. From there, Brewer’s became a living text continually expanded by later editors.
Across more than twenty editions, the book has passed through many hands, each adding new layers and curiosities. The likes of John Freeman, Ivor H. Evans, Adrian Room, John Ayto, Camilla Rockwood, and, most recently, Susie Dent, have all had their say, with each edition mirroring its era by absorbing slang, cultural references, and evolving idioms as society shifts.
The most recent iteration, the 20th edition, published in November 2018 and ebenezer cobham brewer, probably England’s most famous lexicographer and etymologist, who has appeared in “Dictionary Corner” on the Channel 4 game show Countdown since 1992, perfectly captures the spirit of modern language while respecting Brewer’s original eccentricity. As Terry Pratchett once said of the book, “This is, in fact, not what you were looking for; but it’s much more interesting.” That sentiment has practically become the Brewer philosophy: come for a definition, stay for the delightful detour.
Brewer’s Variations and Spin-offs
As the dictionary became a cult favourite, new variations sprang to life. These include Brewer’s Dictionary of Irish Phrase and Fable and Brewer’s Dictionary of London Phrase and Fable, each exploring local expressions, folklore, and cultural history with the Brewer signature twist.
Then there is Brewer’s Rogues, Villains & Eccentrics, a collection dedicated entirely to the colourful, notorious, and downright peculiar individuals who have shaped history and myth. These volumes preserve the spirit of the original work, in equal parts intelligent, playful, and bursting with human oddities.
Famous Phrases and Fabulous Fables
One of the most magical parts of Brewer’s is how it makes the familiar feel entirely new. Common phrases that we use daily suddenly reveal hidden histories and unexpected tales.
Take “the best thing since sliced bread,” often tossed around casually, yet its origins trace back to the 20th century rise of pre-sliced loaves that revolutionised kitchen convenience. Or “mind your p’s and q’s,” a phrase commonly used to tell someone to behave. Brewer’s outlines theories ranging from printing terminology to English taverns chalking up “pints” and “quarts” for customers.
Then there’s “the whole nine yards,” often assumed to be an Americanism linked to the length of machine-gun ammunition belts or the amount of cloth needed for a tailored suit. Brewer’s digs through these many theories and leaves you marvelling at the mysterious elasticity of language.
Other everyday expressions feel charmingly British through the Brewer lens. “Bits and bobs,” for instance, is explained as a phrase referring to small items or odds and ends, while “dog days,” rooted in ancient astronomy, connects the hottest days of summer to the rising of the star Sirius.
Even modern additions find their place. Terms like “couch potato,” “to have a screw loose,” or “scapegoat” appear on the pages, where Brewer’s traces their linguistic DNA back through time, culture, entertainment, and religion. The way the dictionary can take something so ordinary and uncover a rabbit hole of meaning is part of its enduring magic.
A Trip to Ireland Through Its Slang
Open Brewer’s Dictionary of Irish Phrase and Fable and you're met with a lexicon brimming with personality, wit, and cultural flair. Expressions like “acting the maggot” (messing around or causing mischief) immediately paint a picture of cheeky Irish humour. “Away with the fairies” offers a whimsical way of saying someone is daydreaming or disconnected from reality.
Then there’s “the black stuff,” a beloved nod to Guinness; “c’mere to me,” the ever-present opener in Irish conversation; and “eejit,” an affectionate term for someone being a bit silly. Brewer’s captures gems like “now we’re sucking diesel,” which signals great progress or success, and “Murphy’s Law,” the famous belief that anything that can go wrong will go wrong. Even sports wisdom makes the cut, such as “take your points and the goals will come,” straight from the GAA (the Gaelic Athletic Association, a large Irish sports and cultural organisation) playbook. And of course, no Irish lexicon would be complete without the world-famous toast, “sláinte,” which basically means cheers.
These entries demonstrate why Brewer’s remains timeless. It preserves pockets of culture, identity, and humour that might otherwise slip through history’s fingers.
In a world where language evolves faster than ever, Brewer’s stands as a reminder that words are living creatures, shaped by people, places, stories, and shared imagination. Straight from the depths of Victorian England and right up to the digital age, this extraordinary dictionary remains the ultimate nod to curiosity and creativity.
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