Brewer, E. Cobham. Dictionary of Phrase & Fable. Babel.

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Babies in the Eyes.

Babouc.

CONTENTS · BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.

Babel.

A perfect Babel. A thorough confusion. “A Babel of sounds.” A confused uproar, in which nothing can be heard but hubbub. The allusion is to the confusion of tongues at Babel. (Genesis xi.)

“God … comes down to see their city,

… … and in derision sets

Upon their tongues a various spirit, to raze

Quite out their native language, and instead

To sow a jangling noise of words unknown.

Forthwith a hideous gabble rises loud

Among the builders; each to other calls

Not understood… . Thus was the building left

Ridiculous, and the work Confusion named.”

Milton: Paradise Lost, xii. 48–62.

Babies in the Eyes.

Babouc.

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