From Leviticus on what to eat, to the permissible and impermissible in modern life, Taboos have set the rules, written and unwritten, throughout the ages, for what we say, what we wear, what we do from day-to-day. This Dictionary provides an historical account of how Taboos have operated down the ages, in different societies and realms of life: in sex, birth and death; food, drink and excretion; dress, hairstyle and gesture; gender, race and religion; art, literature, theatre and film; language, religion and science. A book for browsing and reference, for students of societies and their ways, it throws an informed light upon our systems of prohibition.