This dictionary investigates the historical evolution and cultural impact of catchphrases within the British and American vernacular from the sixteenth century to the modern era. Eric Partridge, a renowned lexicographer and expert in slang and unconventional English, compiles an exhaustive record of linguistic trends. He argues that these phrases serve as vital markers of social history, reflecting the wit, philosophy, and changing attitudes of the English-speaking world across four centuries.

Experts and linguists regard this work as a foundational reference for understanding the development of colloquial English. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose and the meticulous research that characterizes Partridge's approach to lexicography.