Collins Rhyming Dictionary

February 1, 2007
There are any number of rhyming dictionaries available, many of which are useful and effectively organized. Fergusson's ("The Cassell Dictionary of English Idioms") has several attributes to recommend it. There is a charming foreword by English poet laureate Andrew Motion. There is also a clear and useful guide to using the dictionarya necessary addition, as the content is arranged in a way that might be strange for readers unused to rhyming dictionaries; pertinent examples of rhymes are sprinkled throughout (e.g., following words ending in the "us" sound is this bit of the British national anthem: "Send her victorious, / Happy, and glorious, / Long to reign over us;/ God save the Queen!"). The exhaustive index will be helpful for users having difficulty with the unconventional arrangement. The several hundred entries vary in length from a couple of lines to most of a page. At the end of the usage guide, words for which there exist no rhymes are listed, including "bilge" and "month". Bottom Line The layout is clear and pleasant, the lists of rhyming words are comprehensive and aptly chosen, and the price is modest. This reference source, which compares favorably to other rhyming dictionaries in general, is highly recommended for public, school, and academic libraries.Denise Johnson, Bradley Univ. Lib., Peoria, IL

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