Conville & Walsh

“‘Dictionary’ – Book with a beginning, a middle, and an end – but not in that order.”

THIS SEPTIC ISLE is a book that redefines the Dictionary for the 21st Century – as well as the words ‘Apology’ (The smallest size of type used in a newspaper), ‘Beatitude’ (Mild, compared to waspatitude), and ‘Cleavage’ (The depth to which celebrities will go in order to make the papers). These are just a tiny sample of over two thousand witty, wise and waspish definitions which make Doctor Johnson look like Boris Johnson when it comes to playing games with the English language. Written and illustrated by the humorist and cartoonist Mike Barfield – veteran comedy writer and a stalwart of the satirical magazine Private Eye – every entry in his ‘Uncommon Usage’ will prove a rare treat for grumpy old men and women the world over. With so many of his quotes already a hit on the Internet, BARFIELD’S UNCOMMON USAGE sets a new high standard for irreverent works of reference and will have even the most cynical reader cracking a smile. And quite possibly a rib or two.