The Official Politically Correct Dictionary and Handbook: Updated! New Entries! [Paperback]

Henry Beard (Author), Christopher Cerf (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 12, 1993

Newly expanded and up-to-the-minute, a bestselling guide to survival in multicultural America in the sensitive 1990s. Includes even more real and satirical definitions to help keep thought cops away. Illustrated throughout.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Beard and Cerf ( The Book of Sequels , LJ 11/15/90) present this outrageously funny lexicon in which they define and prescribe politically correct terms and phrases destined to severely euphemize common usage for generations to come. It includes a politically incorrect-correct usage handbook, as well as a section devoted to "other suspect words, concepts and heroes." It will be especially handy for politicians and business executives. It's simply indispensable if you hear a neighbor talk about her new "botanical companion" (plant) after you've only just discovered her "significant other" (a.k.a. "partner") is really her husband, a "follicularly challenged" (bald) "person of stupor" (wino) with "alternative dentation" (false teeth). While not expected to replace Strunk and White, this is a droll reminder of what's happening to contemporary English usage. We're sounding more like the Coneheads every day. Highly recommended.
- Joe Accardi, Northeastern Illinois Univ. Lib., Chicago
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Inside Flap

Newly expanded and up-to-the-minute, a bestselling guide to survival in multicultural America in the sensitive 1990s. Includes even more real and satirical definitions to help keep thought cops away. Illustrated throughout.

Product Details

• Paperback: 194 pages
• Publisher: Villard; Rev Upd Su edition (October 12, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679749446
• ISBN-13: 978-0679749448
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,215,915 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Funny, yet Frightening, May 9, 2003

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Official Politically Correct Dictionary and Handbook: Updated! New Entries! (Paperback)

When I first bought the book, I was expecting high quality entertainment, providing razor-sharp satire on a society rapidly increasing its speed into the chasm of death. I got that, but I got so much more.

The book does an excellent job of providing a realistic look at the language the few schmucks in power have forced upon us.

Of course I laugh at everything, because it all seems so stupid. But, after finishing the book and going back out into the real world, I was shocked at exactly how true the book really was.

What has happened to this country? Have we become so paranoid about the remote possiblity of offending someone that we've really created a euphemism for the word dead? I mean, how many dead people are going to be offened if we call them dead? Answer: None.

This book helped me realize exactly how pointless the whole process of political correctness is. When are these people going to realize that changing the word does not change the condition? It's not only pointless, but it's hurting this country. All these people are doing is sheilding people from reality. Political correctness is a stupid idea which needs to be eliminated (I'm sorry, neutralized).

Good book, bad idea.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Guide to the US mind for strangers ?, March 27, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Official Politically Correct Dictionary and Handbook: Updated! New Entries! (Paperback)

I bought the book on a holiday to the US. Read it. Shook my head. Talked about it with friends in the US. So - that's PC ? This book helped me to understand - and laugh about - the concept of politically correct talking by the reality-challenged folks who obviously USE such terms... Recommended !

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An Average-Challenged Parody for the Millenium, March 25, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Official Politically Correct Dictionary and Handbook: Updated! New Entries! (Paperback)

Beard and Cerf's spoof on political correctness was quite amusing when first published, but as with many things with topical humor: you had to be there. This is not to say that this book is not a great gift idea for that special someone that you know who was (was not) there and didn't (doesn't)"get it." Political correctness is still alive and well, but like new shoes the concept is becoming more comfortable in our lives. P.C. -- not to be confused with PCs that people embraced at a much faster rate -- still pinches our toes in places. So first time managers of people may appreciate receiving this little tongue-in-cheek guidebook on the complexities of workplace diversity to gain perspective of the times. For the price, this irreverent reference piece by Beard and Cerf is a humorous "hard back disadvantaged" book for those with special needs.