From hardy Nantucket whalers to Elizabethan sea dogs, from grizzled fishermen in Nova Scotia to the crews of clipper ships, the men who made their living on the sea left as part of their legacy a remarkable contribution to the English language. An astonishing variety of words, sayings, and idiomatic expressions are explained in alphabetically organized entries in this authoritative and entertaining work. Illustrations
Ranging over foodways and folksongs, quiltmaking and computer lore, Pecos Bill, Butch Cassidy, and Elvis sightings, more than 500 articles spotlight folk literature, music, and crafts; sports and holidays; tall tales and legendary figures; genres and forms; scholarly approaches and theories; regions and ethnic groups; performers and collectors; writers and scholars; religious beliefs and practices. The alphabetically arranged entries vary from concise definitions to detailed surveys, each accompanied by a brief, up-to-date bibliography.
In 262 entries, this 3-vol. set examines landmark pieces of legislation, explaining the historical factors that led to the proposal of each act, looking at the adoption process and assessing each act's impact on American life.
Entries are arranged alphabetically; a topic outline helps integrate related acts, as does the liberal use of see also references.
