Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #44905 in Books
• Published on: 2007-11-02
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 480 pages

Customer Reviews

Fine scholarship
It is probably little-known that no other language contains more obscenity than English. In fact, 0.39% of the words appearing in the Oxford English Dictionary were deemed 'lewd' by a recent Government enquiry. The publishers of Viz have been tireless in their efforts to categorise the full diversity of English execration and this is the latest result of their ongoing efforts. It is unlikely that a more thorough attempt has been made to transcribe potty-mouthed vocabulary since Doctor Samuel Johnson's four-volume 'Lexicon of Ribaldry'. Regarded as the Holy Grail of profane scholarship, the manuscript (as reported by James Boswell) never came to light and is believed to have been destroyed by gypsies.

Anyway, I learned plenty here and I now employ words other than *@#& and *$@& - even when drinking among unemployables at 'The Swan and Anchor'! However, as well as many unusual expressions, one finds detailed definitions of more common terms. For example, @#%$%*ing is defined as the process of licking $%&@# (sometimes called %$@*#) from either a $*#@$ or an *%$# (which is, amusingly, sometimes known as a *&@#%!).

Among the less familiar words are a handful that have been taken from foreign languages and adopted into our own tongue. Surprisingly, the Germans have a verb for the act of *#@$%ing a Grandmother's $%*@#$ while having a *$#£@ inserted into one's £&*#@ by a transgendered dwarf with an unusually hairy #*£@$. Apparently $*%£@&$@#*%&?#%@&*£%#&?@$&@#&$*$%*&# is the longest known word for an obscene act (at 36 characters!). Strangely, despite common usage, it has yet to be officially accepted into the English language by the $*%£@&$@#*%&?#%@&*£%#&?@$&@#&$*$%*&#ers who produce the Oxford English Dictionary.

(note from Amazon- this review has been censored in accordance with the stringent measures that are in place to prevent ALL vulgarity from appearing in customer reviews)

Side splittingly funny
The Profannisaurus continues to grow and grow, and each time a new edition comes out it gets even funnier. I just wish I could think of some entries to submit myself. So many of these phrases are being integrated in to modern culture and indeed into other books (The Book With No Name pilfered a few).
It's impossible to pick a favourite entry as most of them are so funny. There should be a copy of this in every office around the country to lighten up the dull periods. A great Xmas gift for blokes of all ages, especially those who enjoy toilet humour and profannity. Hilarious.

Side splitter
This is not for those of a prudish disposition but,if you have an open mind, the sheer diversity of expressions that have been thought up to describe bodily and sexual functions, ailments and body parts(!) is astounding. It is laid out, very professionally, like a dictionary but you can read it like a book. I am one of those who can become helpless with mirth when a particular phrase tickles my fancy - this book has had me crying with laughter ... and I haven't even got to the 'B' entries yet!!!!
Finding this book is like stumbling over a crock of Gold.