walking encyclopedia

Idioms and Phrases

A very knowledgeable person, as in Ask Rob—he's a walking encyclopedia of military history . A similar expression, a walking dictionary , was used by George Chapman in his poem “Tears of Peace” (c. 1600).

Example Sentences

I found her most intelligent and so far as my career on and off the stage was concerned she was a walking encyclopedia.

From Project Gutenberg

Blind Tom's memory was a blank on most subjects, but he was a walking encyclopedia on music.

From Project Gutenberg

He knew precisely what she would say; Ann was a kind of walking encyclopedia of the conventions.

From Project Gutenberg

As a "professor" I always felt myself a sham, with its chief duties of being a walking encyclopedia of erudition.

From Project Gutenberg

In fact I was a veritable walking-encyclopedia filled with a mass of information, most of which was of no earthly account.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• smart aleck
• wise guy