Customer Reviews

The Septic's Companion: A Mercifully Brief Guide to British Culture and Slang

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Septic's Companion (and, yes, the title of the book does become clear after reading the text) combines a study in brief of the United Kingdom along with a dictionary of translations, which might have been deadly dull if handled by anyone other than Mr. Rae, with his keen, though clearly skewed, sense of humor.

The UK primer in the early portion of the book manages to compress 2,000 years of history and tradition into 30 pages and won't really be suitable if you are gathering material for a thesis, but if you're looking for an entertaining (and peripherally enlightening) view of Great Britain, this is just the ticket.

The bulk of the book is comprised of the translation dictionary, which lists UK words, their US equivalent, a definition and a witty saying. I know that sounds formulaic, but the result is anything but boring (reading a list of words with their definitions; now that would be boring). Throughout the book, Mr. Rae's humor remains fresh and surprising, and, by happy chance, the translations are actually interesting and useful.

Having moved to the UK from the US nearly seven years ago, I thought I had seen (or, at least, heard) it all, but I found myself, every few pages, saying to my English wife, "Do you really call 'Thumb Tacks' 'Drawing Pins,'" to which she would respond, "No, we call 'Drawing Pins' 'Drawing Pins' - why, what do you call them?"

Conversely, it was something of a shock to me to discover how many US words I have let slip, and I felt a tinge of nostalgia as Mr. Rae reminded me that I used to refer to "News Presenters" as "Anchors" and didn't think it odd (or mishear the word as "Wankers").

I can, therefore, recommend this book to Americans living in the UK, as well as to Brits living in the US, or anyone interested in those things that divide us. It won't make you thin, it won't make you rich or give you a better sex life, but it will make you laugh.

So I'm a bit of a geek who really likes language, and as such, I was excited to check out a dictionary of Britishisms. I was looking forward to etymologies and usage and stuff like that. Once I started reading the book (yes, it can be read), all that was there (most of the time - more in a minute), but the best part of it was simply the author's voice. It's funny, sly, and, well, irreverent sounds a bit poncy, so let's just say you can imagine hearing the definitions at the pub over a pint of lager (which, from the website, has a lot to do with how this book came about...) and having a good laugh.

The definitions themselves are often interesting, with plenty of origins, asides about this or that bit of culture or history, and lots of stuff I hadn't heard despite already knowing a thing or two more about British English than your average bear. Don't expect an exhaustive dictionary, though. As the subtitle suggests, the book is not the unabridged dictionary and you're occasionally left wanting (why, oh why, would saying that someone's cooking is the dog's bollocks be a good thing?). The gaps are small relative to the overall fun level, though.

Overall a very enjoyable read, and good for anyone who enjoys British humor, not just language (or even Brits themselves). Four stars only because I reserve five stars for classics of literature such as this or this.

This book is laugh out loud funny as well as very informative. I know when I was in London I was confused quite a few times with words that didn't mean the same thing in the U.S.

It's been a while since I read a book that made laugh some much that I actually had to stop reading. If you don't believe, just read the Introduction and you'll agree.

Okay, so I am a little obsessed with all things British. If a country could have groupies I would be England's biggest fan. I became obsessed when I discovered BBC America. I love How Clean is Your House? And Ramsey's Kitchen but really love Top Gear and Dr. Who. I am a big fan of British humor and style.
This book is one of my favorite British finds. The author, the very witty and engaging Chris Rae is an Englishman living in my home state of Washington. Rae writes that once on holiday in the U S, he thought it would be fun to write a list of words familiar to him but unknown in America. The Septic's guide is the result (sorry, you will have to read the book to find out what septic means). Rae has accomplished what he set out to do. The book is a fun sometimes laugh out loud guide to British culture and words. If you are looking for an armchair journey to England, I highly recommend you start with this book.

Not to sell the dictionary part short (it's pretty hilarious) but the intro chapters are some of the funniest stuff I have read in years. If you know any Brits living in America (or even better Septic's living in the UK) this makes the perfect gift for any occasion.

This handy little book was written as a helpful guide to enable Americans to decipher British English. If you've ever been reading an Agatha Christie novel, only to be brought up short as the characters discuss their "vegetable marrows" and aubergines, this book will help to decode the puzzle.

The first part of the book is devoted to sections discussing such helpful topics as the geography of the U.K., the workings of the government, British currency and so on. There's also a rather detailed primer on how to go out drinking in Britain, and a detailed discussion of the associated rules involved in "buying a round." A must read for the potential tourist!

The actual dictionary section of the book is very funny. Not only are definitions given, but the word in question is also frequently used in a sentence -- all the better to create hilarious images to reinforce the meaning.

If you are a frequent viewer of British TV programs, a potential U.K. tourist, or likely to encounter a random British person in your everyday life, you'd do well to buy this book and save yourself potential confusion and embarrassment.

Mirthful & concise. In one short day, has helped me span the cultural divide with British co-workers. I'm now armed to throw friendly (or unfriendly) jabs at British colleagues while my less enlightened countrymen remain oblivious to the nuance. Priceless!!

This book is a must have for anyone who travels to the UK or needs a good laugh. In 2006 I started a relationship with a Brit and have made 8 trips to the UK. The biggest issue we have had to overcome was the language differences. This book is quite a find! It provides real-world useful information presented in a manner that is both extremely funny and incredibly accurate. The words are explained in terms that are familiar to Americans, but also focus on the British aspects of use and connotation, which is very helpful when one has a lot of interaction with Brits and their language. But mostly, it is just great fun, a read that will have you laughing every time you open the book!

The introduction is indeed hilarious and the dictionary is the ultimate resource for any traveler choosing the "Democratic Republic of United Kingdom" as there destination.

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