British English, A to ZEd [Hardcover]

Norman W. Schur (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1987 | ISBN-10: 0816016356 | ISBN-13: 978-0816016358

A rigorously researched, wickedly witty, and eminently useful collection of over 5,000 Briticisms (and Americanisms).

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

In an effort to unravel the differences between British and American English, Schur published his first guide, entitled British Self-Taught: With Comments in American, in 1973. When a revised edition appeared in 1980, the title was changed to English English, and the 1987 revision was published as British English A to Zed. This latest edition has been revised by Ehrlich, coeditor of the Oxford American Dictionary.

The approximately 5,000 Briticisms covered in this dictionary include words and phrases that Americans generally do not use at all (for example, dabs, meaning fingerprints) as well as terms used in both the U.S and Britain but that have different meanings (such as bomb, which in Britain means a smash hit, but in America indicates just the opposite). Entries indicate the American equivalent for each Briticism and usually provide additional explanation. Valuable supplemental material appears in two appendixes, the first of which outlines the basic differences between British and American English regarding syntax, pronunciation, punctuation, and spelling. The second appendix provides a means of identifying terms in specific areas, including currency, finance, weights and measures, and cricket. An index to American equivalents completes the volume. Ehrlich has put his stamp on the dictionary by condensing and rewriting significant portions of the work. He has dropped a large number of terms and has significantly shortened many of the remaining entries by deleting illustrative examples and editorial commentary. In addition, Ehrlich has added a handful of new terms, including finger (shot of booze), ruby wedding (fortieth wedding anniversary), and scrotty (crummy).

British English A to Zed continues to be a useful source for public and academic libraries. Because this revision treats relatively few new terms, it is not an essential purchase for libraries that own the 1987 revision or its 1991 paperback reprint. RBB
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Review

Norman Schur is without doubt the outstanding authority on the similarities and differences between British and American English. BRITISH ENGLISH, A TO ZED attests not only to his expertise, but also to his undiminished powers to inform, amuse and entertain. Laurence Urdang, Editor, VERBATIM, The Language Quarterly, Spring 1988 --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 360 pages
• Publisher: Facts on File (July 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0816016356
• ISBN-13: 978-0816016358
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,809,225 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fun book, February 19, 2002

By 

MotherLodeBeth "MotherLodeBeth" (Sierras of California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: British English, A to Zed (Facts on File Writer's Library) (Paperback)

It was Antony of a Poly-Thinkers board who reminded me of this book which we have had for over a decade and for anyone who loves the BBC, or PBS programs with a British flare it is a valuable asset. It is helpful when watching Monty Python, All Creatures Great and Small and programs pre 1990 to have the terms explained. The book is basically about the General differences between British and American English.

On page 5 there are examples of different words used to define in British and American English:

Blunt (of a pencil) in British English would be said dull in American English
engaged in British English would mean busy and in American English tied-up
motor car in British English would be car or automobile in American English
Petrol would be in British English what gas or gasoline would be in American English.

On page 129 Americans who are used to hearing the term faggots as a derogatory term for a homosexual will learn that in country English it means a battered old woman or a cigarette. Fanny in American English refers to someone's (usually a woman's) buttocks. In British English it is much more interesting.

There is a section on food names, botanical and zoological names and the whole Britain, Briton, British English elements as well. Cricket terms and connotative place-names and connotative names of periodicals i.e. The Daily Telegraph, Punch etc.

What is Zed? On page 406: zed, n (noun) This explains the title! (letter) Z And now I am hungry for some bangers and mash.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't miss it, June 2, 2005

By 

SandJack (New York, NY, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: British English, A to Zed (Facts on File Writer's Library) (Paperback)

This is a must if you want to understand the English. I took it with me to Britain and found it very useful. Its dictionary format makes it easy to find the term you need. It also helps with things like gestures, not just words.

It will also help you understand what they are saying in British movies, translate what they say.

The book includes reference to other variants, like Australian. perhaps the author would like to develop this into a book specifically for American people traveling to Australia.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun!, September 24, 2004

By 

history nerdling (West Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: British English, A to Zed (Facts on File Writer's Library) (Paperback)

Even if you don't normally think dictionaries are fun, you will enjoy this one. It is laid out in a manner easy to understand and the entries include humor, both British and American in style. There are some things that are never explained to my full satisfaction, but overall I enjoyed it and will continue to have fun with it.

If you like BritComs, British movies or other Anglo-media, you need this book. Everything makes much more sense! If you enjoy English literature, this dictionary can help you understand things more fully, better than you ever could simply using contextual clues or a standard American dictionary.

I highly recommend this book!