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songsaboutghosts's review against another edition
1.0
I thought this would be theory for the layman but instead it's just lists of words. The lists of words for each tribe is incomplete, as is the list of tribes, not to mention lots of the definitions being a) already public knowledge b) wrong or c) completely irrelevant and disinteresting to anyone who doesn't already know them. I have absolutely no idea what the point of this book was meant to be.
pquiroga6's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
rebecca_arch_art's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting enough, but a little dry and hard going at times. Probably more of a coffee table book to occasionally dip in to, but fun trivia to be had.
shanaqui's review against another edition
informative
2.0
Sadly, despite loving Something Rhymes With Purple and figuring Susie Dent's insights and voracious word-collection would be an obvious great read, this book is mostly lists preceded by thumbnail sketches of a group, not always very accurate.
As an example, her section on gamers was almost entirely about the language surrounding MMORPGs, a fact she doesn't seem very aware of. I now play FFXIV and know most of this terminology -- but before that, I wouldn't have, despite being a gamer since I was a kid. (She also missed the FFXIV synonym for aggro, which is enmity, though some players who've come over from WoW and such will call it aggro, threat or hate. If you're seeing this, you're welcome, Susie.)
As an example, her section on gamers was almost entirely about the language surrounding MMORPGs, a fact she doesn't seem very aware of. I now play FFXIV and know most of this terminology -- but before that, I wouldn't have, despite being a gamer since I was a kid. (She also missed the FFXIV synonym for aggro, which is enmity, though some players who've come over from WoW and such will call it aggro, threat or hate. If you're seeing this, you're welcome, Susie.)
swalls95's review
2.0
This book was engaging at times but got a little repetitive. I enjoyed reading it whilst it was in my hands but had no desire to pick it up if I stopped reading for any reason. I had to actively encourage myself to pick it back up.
The main reason for my lack of enthusiasm, is the fact, that the layout is boring. Each chapter was set out with an overview of that “tribe” and its history, then, became a list of words most associated with that group. I could think of some more “tribes” I would have liked to seen feature, such as, stamp collectors, musicians, jockeys and quizzers.
2* read for me.
The main reason for my lack of enthusiasm, is the fact, that the layout is boring. Each chapter was set out with an overview of that “tribe” and its history, then, became a list of words most associated with that group. I could think of some more “tribes” I would have liked to seen feature, such as, stamp collectors, musicians, jockeys and quizzers.
2* read for me.
leonie_f's review against another edition
5.0
Very interesting to read all these kinds of slang different groups use.
I also recognise some of the slang which is very funny to see something you
think is not that well known is also written down in this book.
I also recognise some of the slang which is very funny to see something you
think is not that well known is also written down in this book.
elegantmechanic's review against another edition
4.0
Glad to have this. I can understand the complaints of it being too broad to go into great detail and too much of a big list to be hugely entertaining but it's a great starting point for looking into any of the "tribes" in question because the notes of where their terminology originates provides slices of history, geography and anthropology as you go.