A Dictionary of Wellerisms

The wellerism - so called in English because it is a form of expression typical or reminiscent of Sam Weller or his father two celebrated characters in Dickens''s Pickwick Papers - is a major subtype of the proverb. It consists of three parts: a speech or statement (often a proverb) identification of the speaker and identification of the situation which gives the expression an ironic or humorous twist often in the form of a pun. A Dictionary of Wellerisms is the first work to collect all of the wellerisms recorded in the English language. Containing a wealth of wit and wisdom it also offers a preface bibliography lengthy introduction and two indexes one of speakers one of situations. Wellerisms: `Prevention is better than cure'' said the pig when it ran away from the butcher. `We''ll have to rehearse that'' said the undertaker as the coffin fell out of the car.