a walking dictionary, encyclopedia, etc.

a walking dictionary

A person who has a very large vocabulary or knows the definition of many words and who can recite them when asked. You should ask my brother what it means—he's a walking dictionary! Compared to most sixteen-year-olds, Sarah is a walking dictionary. She must read a lot in her spare time. What do I look like, a walking dictionary? How should I know how to spell "pneumococcal"?

See also: dictionary, walking

a walking encyclopedia

A person who has a very large and detailed knowledge of a diverse array of facts and who can recite them when asked. Lily's like a walking encyclopedia when it comes to reptiles. Compared to most sixteen-year-olds, Sarah is a walking encyclopedia. She must read a lot in her spare time. What do I look like, a walking encyclopedia? How should I know what T.S. Eliot's initials stand for?

See also: encyclopedia, walking

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

a walking ˈdictionary, encycloˈpedia, etc.

(informal) used to describe a human or living example of the thing mentioned: Geoff is a walking encyclopedia. He knows about everything. ♢ She’s a walking dictionary (= she knows a lot of words).

See also: walking

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017