Knickers In A Twist: A Dictionary of British Slang

Knickers In A Twist by Jonathan Bernstein is a dictionary that translates British slang into American English. I purchased the book out of a desire to know more about the language differences between the native English speakers of the world. During this quest I also purchased and read Brit-Think, Ameri-Think and Bum Bags and Fanny Packs. Each of the books have their own slant. Bum Bags and Fanny Packs is a dictionary that covers all translations to and from British and American English and Brit-Think, Ameri-Think focuses on describing the cultural contrast and difference in thinking. Knickers In A Twist was interesting, but I found myself wishing it wasn’t just slang and had more stories to tell or away to apply my new found knowledge to a real scenario. Without ever knowing anyone who uses  phrases like “done up like a kipper” or “all fur coats and no knickers” it was hard to get much humor out of it. On the other hand if I did know someone who talks like that, I would finally understand what  the heck they were saying all this time. So if you hang around lots of Brits and you have no idea what they are saying, you must get this book! But if you don’t ever plan on needing to know what it means to be “rough as a badger’s ass” then I this book is not for you!