The quintessential A to Z guide to British English—perfect for every egghead and bluestocking
looking to conquer the language barrier Oscar Wilde once said the Brits have "everything in
common with America nowadays except of course language." Any visitor to Old Blighty can
sympathize with Mr. Wilde. After all even fluent English speakers can be at sixes and sevens
when told to pick up the "dog and bone" or "head to the loo " so they can "spend a penny."
Wherever did these peculiar expressions come from? British author Christopher J. Moore made a
name for himself on this side of the pond with the sleeper success of his previous book In
Other Words. Now Moore draws on history literature pop culture and his own heritage to
explore the phrases that most embody the British character. He traces the linguistic influence
of writers from Chaucer to Shakespeare and Dickens to Wodehouse and unravels the complexity
Brits manage to imbue in seemingly innocuous phrases like "All right." Along the way Moore
reveals the uniquely British origins of some of the English language's more curious sayings.
For example: Who is Bob and how did he become your uncle? Why do we refer to powerless
politicians as "lame ducks”? How did "posh” become such a stylish word? Part language guide
part cultural study How to Speak Brit is the perfect addition to every Anglophile's library
and an entertaining primer that will charm the linguistic-minded legions.
