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Britishisms, Americanisms, and What Our English Says About Us
by Erin Moore
In That's Not English, the seemingly superficial differences between British and American English open the door to a deeper exploration of a historic and fascinating cultural divide. In each of the thirty chapters, Erin Moore explains a different word we use that says more about us than we think. For example, "Quite" exposes the tension between English reserve and American enthusiasm; in "Moreish," she addresses our snacking habits. In "Partner," she examines marriage equality; in "Pull," the theme is dating and sex; "Cheers" is about drinking; and "Knackered" covers how we raise our kids. The result is a cultural history in miniature and an expatriate's survival guide.
"Moore manages to create a text that is eminently readable, clever (in the sincerely-intended American sense) and thought-provoking, gently breaking down some of the cultural stereotyping that plagues both Americans and British." - Publishers Weekly
"Although Moore sometimes sees a bit too much significance in the differences, her brisk, self-effacing style is appealing." - Kirkus
"This is a brilliant guide to the revealing differences between two branches of English ... As an English person I will say, 'Oh, jolly well done,' but I'd like to add 'Good job!'" - From the foreword by Lynne Truss, author of Eats, Shoots & Leaves
"I'm mad about this book! I don't mean 'angry' in the American sense, but Britishly 'enthusiastic, gobsmacked.' Much has been written about the language barrier between Britspeak and Americanspeak, but, more than any other explorer, Erin Moore puts a human face on the subject." - Richard Lederer, author of Anguished English
"The ocean that divides England and America is awash with linguistic wreckage and cultural tumult. But Erin Moore's study of these infested waters is serene, assured and hugely entertaining. They should hand her book out at border control." - Simon Garfield, author of Just My Type
This information about That's Not English was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Erin Moore grew up in Key West, Florida, and is a graduate of Harvard who also attended King's College, London.
Moore is a former book editor who specialized in spotting British books - including Eats, Shoots & Leaves - for the US market. She's spent the last seven years living in England with her Anglo American husband and a small daughter with an English accent.
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