French Idioms and Proverbs: A Companion to Deshumbert's "Dictionary of Difficulties"

"French Idioms and Proverbs" by de V. Payen-Payne is a reference guide that likely falls into the educational category, written in the early 20th century. This work serves as a comprehensive collection of French idiomatic expressions and proverbs, aiming to enhance the understanding of the French language, particularly for learners and students of French literature. The opening of this volume introduces the author’s intent to provide a well-structured resource for understanding French idioms and proverbs, complete with cross-references and quotations from notable authors. It outlines the format of the book, indicating which entries are proverbs, and includes user-friendly features such as explanations for certain English proverbs. The author also emphasizes the importance of being cautious with familiar or colloquial expressions when translating, highlighting the distinctions between various levels of language use. Overall, the introduction sets a scholarly tone for a practical guide designed to assist language learners in grasping the nuances of French expressions.