Knickers in a Twist: A Dictionary of British Slang

by Jonathan Bernstein

Brits and Americans dress the same, eat at the same chain restaurants, pass music back and forth across the Atlantic, and our national leaders are practically conjoined twins. But the second the Brits open their mouths, all bets are off. So don't dream of visiting the UK, dating a Brit, or truly understanding what Jude Law is saying without this handy, hilarious, and informative guide to Britspeak. With the cheekiness of Austin Powers and the tidbit...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1841958344
• ISBN13: 9781841958347
• Release Date: October 2006
• Publisher: Canongate Us
• Length: 194 Pages
• Weight: 0.33 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.0" x 7.2"

Customer Reviews

Great or british comedy translations

Bought this for my wife, she loves the UK comedy. Now she gets the jokes. Transaction was perfect AAAA++++++

The Mayflower must have been extremely compact!

For this transplanted, now American, Englishman, "Knickers in a Twist" is a glorious romp down memory lane. Knowing how many Americans claim to have had predecessors come over on The Mayflower (must have been extremely small people based on the size of the ship!) this dictionary will also enrich their understanding of colorful British slang.

For those who are not familar with British slang

I am completely, and utterly in love with England, every single aspect of it is lovely. I was surprised that a book on British Slang was out, I went out and bought it the very next day. As soon as I got home I stuffed it into my bag for school the next day. During one class when I had finished my work earlier I decided to open this book up, what a horrible decision! This book was absolutely hilarious! Which was bad since the rest of the class was finishing a test, and I had to leave the room to get rid of my laughter. Now I use these terms all over the school that leaves other students stare at me with bewilderment. It's great to know terms that others are not familiar with.

excellent delivery time and excellent condition

A funny book to read, and very interesting to see the similarities and differences in the English language. To see words that look and mean things so very different from the English I know.

Usefully funny!

Fans of Bernstein's Guardian column in the UK will be well-acquainted with his trenchant wit - on brilliant display here, too, as he tackles a potentially unwieldy subject. Where most dictionaries of this type are poorly written and dry as dust, "Knickers" handles both the well-known (e.g. the title) and the obscure (too many examples to list) linguistic peculiarities of the Queen's English with style. A must for Anglophiles and a rare treat for the casual reader and/or traveler.