| Created 007.11.16; Updated 2007.11.16 |
This article originally appeared in British Weekly.
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Very Bad Things, and the People Who Say Them SANTA MONICA, CA (British Weekly) 11/14/07 — Berdoll's Very Nice Ways to Say Very Bad Things will make you laugh and shake your head at what people used to say when trying to insult people. This entertaining book of euphemisms is filled with known and unknown sayings that demonstrate the subtle art of the veiled insult. Today we live in an age when foul language has become thoroughly democratic and equally available to everyone, but there was a time when mincing words was considered an art. More... |
Jane Austen would say, "She was a woman of mean understanding, little information and uncertain temperament." Shakespeare would say, "You show yourself highly fed but lowly taught." Or, "You do me the most insupportable vexation." Speaking of Shakespeare, this book reminded me of another book I reviewed a bit ago called Filthy Shakespeare.
Why would you say you feel pissed, when you can just as easily be vexed, choleric or have your kickers in a knot? No need to use the F-word or the S-word. You can readily vent vexation by exclaiming, "Lord love a duck!"
There's no story to this volume, which is a rather scholarly tome despite the irreverent topic. This is the type of book that amuses for a moment, but feels too much like a dictionary to read end-to-end. It could work better as a coffee table book, rather than being a slim paperback. The book's illustrations, that look like they're from quaint old prints, could benefit from being larger.
Texan Linda Berdoll is also the author of the Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife. While researching the Regency era, she repeatedly came across unusual and funny euphemisms that she wanted to share. This book does that, but doesn't explain how euphemisms went out of style. And, it doesn't predict where foul language will go from here. It doesn't even explain why humans, of all species, find insults worthwhile. There's much research yet to be done in the field of naughty words.
A little gem of a book to enlighten and amuse readers. A fun stocking stuffer for the person who loves words.
Very Nice Ways to Say Very Bad Things. Paperback 143 pages.
Publisher: Hysteria Publications (June 20, 2007). Language: English
ISBN 978-1402208850. $12.95