A Feast of Wordy DelightsMay 25, 2007 28 out of 28 found this review helpful
Such a modest little book, but ignore the self effacing title - this is a real corker, jammed full of insights into our language. Always thought provoking, informative and entertaining, the book joyfully skips between the erudite and the everyday. The section on "muffin top" had me weeping fat tears of laughter on a crowded commuter train, while the chapter on madness provides a thought provoking exploration of the knots we tie ourselves into when discussing the issue and details the surprising clinical origins of terms like idiot and moron.
Unlike other books that claim to explore word histories, Balderdash & Piffle - One Sandwich Short of a Dog's Dinner is thoroughly researched and does not rely on spurious theories or folk etymologies, the real journeys that our words have taken are fascinating enough in their own right. And like the BBC series it accompanies, the thematic layout reveals how we reveal our greatest loves, fears and embarrassments through our language we use.
Packed with hilarious cartoons that fit the book's quirky style, this book would make a delightful present but you'll want a copy for yourself too. I highly recommend.
