Hooray for English Eccentricity! (The Meaning of Liff - Douglas Adams)

Member Name: salgirl

Product:	The Meaning of Liff - Douglas Adams
Date:	03/05/01 (62 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: genuinely funny and very clever

Disadvantages: Not enough.. I need more...

If you appreciate the humour of Hitch-hiker's Guide To The Galaxy and the adventures of Dirk Gently, the Holistic Detective, then this is an excellent addition to your collection of Douglas Adams' books.

Co-written with John Lloyd, the idea behind The Meaning Of Liff is a simple one. There are many occasions and events that simply have no name to describe them. There are just as many marvellous place names hanging around on signposts all over the world, doing nothing more than announcing the direction you need to take to get there. Combine the two and you have the reference point that is, The Meaning Of Liff.

Let me elucidate further (great word! normally I'd have to go for a quick lie down, but I'll struggle on):-

"Ely" - The start of a tiny feeling that something, somewhere has just gone horribly wrong.

"Dubuque" - The superior look given to someone who is wearing the wrong sort of shoes.

"Berepper" - Small sturdy farts, passed in the presence of royalty, which sounds rather a passing motorbike, but not enough to be confused with one.

"Throcking" - The actions of repeatedly pressing down the toaster handle, in the vain hope it will understand you want it to toast something.

"Kettering" - Marks left on the skin after sitting in a wicker chair.

All genuine place names, and there are handy little maps to show where in the world they are. Bear in mind though, that this IS Douglas Adams we're talking about here so don't expect anything too geographically perfect.

This compact little book is pocket sized and excellent value for money. It's attractively decorated in black with gold lettering to give the impression of being an extremely valuable aid to the English language, which of course it is. You'll find yourself slipping it into conversations, and as long as you've passed this round your mates beforehan
d, they won't be staring at you like you've just gone into off the deep end.

It really is such an excellent idea, I think it should be made official - Especially as we know people who live in Mavis Enderby (a tiny place in Lincolnshire). You'll have to read the book to find out what that means... and Hobb's Cross ...

Anyway. LOADS of fun. LOADS of laughs. A real joy to own and refer to. Price: £4.99 and I got mine in WH Smiths.

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