Christine Ammer

Christine Ammer is an American lexicographer and writer best known for compiling and authoring comprehensive works on idioms, clichés, and American English expressions. Her most widely recognized work is "The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms," first published in 1997 and subsequently updated. Throughout her career spanning over 40 years, Ammer has authored more than 40 reference books on language, music, and women's military history. Her expertise in documenting and explaining the origins of common phrases and expressions has made her works valuable resources for writers, editors, and language enthusiasts. Ammer's other notable publications include "Have a Nice Day - No Problem!: A Dictionary of Clichés" and "Fighting Words: From War, Rebellion, and Other Combative Capers." Her work on military terminology and history is reflected in "Unsung: A History of Women in American Music" and various books about women's roles in American military conflicts. Her writing style combines scholarly research with accessible explanations, providing historical context and etymology for thousands of common expressions in American English. Ammer's contributions to lexicography have helped document the evolution of American English phrases and their cultural significance.

Readers consistently rate Ammer's reference works highly for their depth of research and clear explanations of idiom origins. Amazon reviews for "The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms" note its usefulness for both native English speakers and language learners. What readers liked: - Comprehensive coverage of expressions - Clear historical origins and examples - Logical organization and easy navigation - Detailed citations and etymology - Helpful for ESL/EFL students and teachers What readers disliked: - Some entries lack contemporary usage examples - Print size in newer editions described as too small - Limited coverage of recent slang/idioms - Price point higher than similar reference works Ratings across platforms: Amazon: 4.6/5 (427 reviews) Goodreads: 4.3/5 (89 reviews) One ESL teacher wrote: "Unlike other idiom dictionaries, Ammer provides actual historical context rather than just definitions." A frequent criticism from recent reviews mentions that updates haven't kept pace with evolving language: "Many new expressions from the past decade are missing."

Unsung: A History of Women in American Music (1980) A comprehensive documentation of women's contributions to American music from the colonial period through the 20th century.

The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms (1997) A reference work containing over 10,000 idioms with their meanings, origins, and usage examples.

Have a Nice Day - No Problem!: A Dictionary of Clichés (1992) A collection of common clichés in American English with explanations of their origins and meanings.

Fighting Words: From War, Rebellion, and Other Combative Capers (1989) A compilation of military terminology and expressions that have entered everyday language.

It's Raining Cats and Dogs and Other Beastly Expressions (1988) A collection of animal-related phrases and idioms with their etymological origins and meanings.

Cool Cats, Top Dogs, and Other Beastly Expressions (1999) An exploration of animal-themed idioms and their evolution in American English.

Making History: Women in Military Service (1980) A historical account of women's roles and contributions in American military service.

Richard Spears Compiles comprehensive dictionaries of American idioms and slang with detailed etymological information. His "McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms" and "NTC's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions" are standard references in the field.

Robert Hendrickson Focuses on historical origins of words and phrases in American English through works like "The Facts on File Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins." His research style emphasizes historical documentation and cultural context of language evolution.

Michael Quinion Documents word origins and etymologies with particular focus on new expressions entering the English language. His work combines historical research with modern usage analysis through publications like "Port Out, Starboard Home" and "Ballyhoo, Buckaroo, and Spuds."

Barbara Ann Kipfer Creates reference works on language usage and word origins including "Dictionary of American Slang" and "14,000 Things to Be Happy About." Her compilation methods emphasize systematic categorization and comprehensive coverage of linguistic patterns.

John Ayto Produces reference works on word origins and language change through time including "Oxford Dictionary of English Idioms" and "Word Origins." His research methodology focuses on tracing the historical development of expressions through documented sources.