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Filthy English: The How, Why, When and What of Everyday Swearing Hardcover – 5 Oct 2009

by Peter Silverton (Author)
3.6 out of 5 stars 42 customer reviews
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Product details

  • Hardcover: 256 pages
  • Publisher: Portobello Books Ltd (5 Oct. 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1846271681
  • ISBN-13: 978-1846271687
  • Product Dimensions: 15.9 x 2.8 x 22 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 457,715 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Product Description

Review

`Offers curious facts and ideas that leaves one amazed at the vast profane creativity of language' - Observer --Review

`A consistently enjoyable treatise on English swearing ... a generous buffet of facts surrounding our linguistic depravities' - Herald
--Review

About the Author

PETER SILVERTON has been a journalist for 30 years. He started as features editor at Sounds in 1976, covered Punk, went on the Anarchy Tour bus with the Pistols and Clash and later wrote Glen Matlock's autobiography (I Was A Teenage Sex Pistol). He's also worked as an editor at Time Out, the Mail on Sunday, the Sunday Express and the Guardian, and written for practically every music mag and newspaper in the land. http://petersilverton.blogspot.com/

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsFilthy English: The how, why, when and what of everyday swearing.
By Penny Lane on 13 Feb. 2011
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
Absolutely fascinating book. Full of very detailed descriptions of how certain words originated and what seemingly inoccuous words they are contected to. There is so much information packed into this book that I'm only reading about four pages a night - it is so enjoyable as well. It's not a light or silly read - more quite a serious look at language with some light hearted digressions. The sections which explain puns from Shakespeare, Marvell and other writers are brilliant! Suitable for those people who are genuinely interested in how language originated rather than for those looking for a cheap thrill. I thoroughly recommend it!
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4.0 out of 5 starsSuperb insight into the evolution of modern insults!
By Louise Roberts on 1 Aug. 2011
Format: Paperback
I was drawn to this book purely for the cover, I was intrigued to know its contents and, not normally my genre of reading, however I decided to take a chance. I am glad I did this was a really fascinating read I loved (nearly!) every page on it. Certainly not for the faint-hearted!! There is no shying away from the more explicit words or explainations for their origins. But absolutely brilliant I really did enjoy the majority of this book, the last few chapters about censorship etc becomes a bit more anecdotal and wasn't as interesting as the other chapters.

However, I would highly recommend this book to anyone, with or without an interest in language, this is a fabulous read!
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5.0 out of 5 starsA very enjoyable examination of swearing in the modern world
By Linden S on 10 Nov. 2010
Format: Paperback
What a cracking book! It is really erudite in terms of the etymology of all the common (and uncommon) swear words. But, just as important, there is so much insight into the role of taboo language for the individual and society. It also covers the change in our attitude to swearing. Most sexual swear word are no longer the ultimate taboo; that has been overtaken by racist epithets. However, Peter Silverton also looks at the role of swearing in different types of societies and how different languages produce swear words. This was particularly fascinating. On top of that it was extremely funny. Peter Silverton has a wickedly dry sense of humour. I learned so much from it and also enjoyed reading it immensely.
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5.0 out of 5 starsProof that swearing can be big and clever.
By ds VINE VOICE on 27 Sept. 2011
Format: Paperback
It's odd that much of the content of this book is unable to be quoted here. Why is swearing censored? Which swears are the worst? Why are English swear words different to others around the world? And why is it so very difficult to swear properly in another language? All these and many other questions are, if not answered fully, certainly pored over with the punctilious obsession of one whose trade uses the currency of language. This is not a small book, and will take you a while to work through. Not because it's dull: far from it, but because the amount of material is incredibly densely packed. Each page has at least one juicy morsel to chew on (usually more), pulled in from a mixture of memory, conversation and academic investigation.

The topics run from the biological to the profane, taking in Pompeian graffiti (including the rudest Latin swear word, landica), why there aren't that many swear words relating to the female form and the origins of the "Yo' Mama" swear. In between we see the differences in the mechanics of black and white US swearing, a brief history lesson about Aztec Mexico and trying to find out when the first f- word in recorded music turned up. All are fascinating, frequently witty and written with a certain lightness of touch that, in the hands of another, could have made for a rather leaden read. But it really isn't: it's a riot, and frequently illuminating to boot.

Well worth the money.
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5.0 out of 5 starsGet wise to being rude - a liberating read
By Lo Jardinier on 28 Nov. 2009
Format: Hardcover
I had great fun reading this book. I defy anyone to get through a chapter without reading some fact or quote - or several - to a partner or friend. Peter Silverton gives us a well-researched history of cursing, debunking many myths along the way, so that use of the (very funny) index makes this a handy reference for all those 'Where did the word ---- come from?' arguments. And who would have thought it of Emily Bronte? There are forays into effing on record (long, long before rap) and blinding around the world (from Canadian churches to the Russian underground). Silverton knows his popular culture (he was a journalist on music and broadsheet papers), and the book is up-to-date on current broadcasting debates. He also uses insights from linguistics and psychology to understand the many stories about swearing which his interviewees and sources seem to have enjoyed relating to him. This is a book to renew your delight in all language: 'filthy' is an F-word, but so are flexible, forceful, funny and free.
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5.0 out of 5 starsYou will have to put it down
By Kindle Customer on 30 Nov. 2009
Format: Hardcover
I am absolutely loving this book. Warning though... it is not one of those 'can't put it down' type of books. This is because you can only read a paragraph or so before you have to grab whoever is nearest to discuss the latest revelation. Some of the stuff that's been going on out there, and me all oblivious and innocent! I thought I was pretty streetwise until I started reading this. Now I feel rather silly but very pleased that I now know some things like... saying 'your mum' can get you in a whole heap of trouble.

It is clear that the author has done a heck of a lot of research but also, he has a very admirable street cred rating which also comes through in the text. This is an erudite read that is also accessible and amusing so should please a wide range of readers.

Buy it for your mum. Oops sorry! I shouldn't have said 'your mum' I do apologise.
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