[Idiom] Plz guide me on the web site contains the original stories of the Idioms

[edwar12345]

Hello, I am an ESL, i like learning English Idioms, i think if i can read the whole story which generate the idiom, i will gain a deep understanding of the idiom. So i searched the forum to find useful link upon this.

But what a pity, the forum is too universe to find the source i need. So could any expert guide me some good website which introduce the original stories of the idioms ? i am greatful for your helping.

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Here is an example of what i need below:

From Story:
The ant and the dove
An ant went to the bank of a river to quench its thirst, and being carried away by the rush of the stream, was on the point of drowning. A dove sitting on a tree overhanging the water plucked a leaf and let it fall into the stream close to her. The ant climbed onto it and floated in safety to the bank. Shortly afterwards a birdcatcher came and stood under the tree, and laid his lime-twigs for the dove, which sat in the branches. The ant, perceiving his design, stung him in the foot. In pain the birdcatcher threw down the twigs, and the noise made the dove take wing.

Generating idiom:
One good turn deserves another.

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Can anyone find some websites with the origianl stories of English idioms?

[Anglika]

This is one site that can be helpful: http://www.phrases.org.uk/index.html

This one is older, but also helpful at times: Brewer, E. Cobham. 1898. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable

[edwar12345]

Originally Posted by Anglika

This is one site that can be helpful: http://www.phrases.org.uk/index.html

This one is older, but also helpful at times: Brewer, E. Cobham. 1898. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable

thanks very much, for your kindness.

[Ouisch]

Sometimes it helps to simply use a Google search and ask for the etymology of a particular idiom.

For example, go to Google, and in the search box type "hair of the dog" + "etymology". If you do not find the information you're looking for with that search, try "hair of the dog"+"idiom"+"history". Usually you'll be directed to some helpful web sites that detail the origins of our various peculiar English language sayings.

[jackyork]

I'd like to share another website: Urban Dictionary, November 14: 007.
But as you can imagine, most old idioms were come from nowhere.

---------
Jack

[Karuttun]

Hello! I hope you will find this book useful: Scholastic Dictionary of Idioms, more than 600 phrases, sayings and expressions - Marvin Terban. Printed in the USA. The author teaches English at Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School in New York City. Best regards, Karuttun from Argentina/México.