Accomodating Brocolli in the Cemetary

or why can’t anybody spell?

Vivian Cook

ISBN 1 86197 623 2

September 2004

Price £9.99

Hardback, 160 pp.

Buy this book at amazon.co.uk

View quote sheet

Subjects: Humour, Reference

‘It is a damn poor mind that can think of only one way to spell a word – U.S. President
Shakespeare, Shake-speare, Shakspeare, Shaxberd, Shakespere, Shak-speare, Shaskpear, Shakspere, Shaksper, Schaksp., Shakespear, Shakespheare
‘My spelling is Wobbly’ – Winnie-the-Pooh

This delightful, quick-footed book celebrates the English language by exploring the rich treasure house of spelling in all its variety – setting tests and proposing rules, with illuminating quotations and tantalising lists

Headrillaz and Misteeq; Naming Pop Groups; miniscule parallels; non-letters; the three-letter rule; Faeder ure pup e eart on heofunum; UK number plates; HipHop spelling; East Anglian place-names; the E-cancellation spelling test – these are just some of the intriguing subjects presented in this must-have, must-give little book.

A spelling test is available on the author’s website.

‘Not a zero-tolerance guide, but a delightfully eclectic manual that gently guides the reader through the often infuriating vagaries of an evolving language.’
— Michael Williams, Independent on Sunday

‘Cook serves up a pleasantly diverting mish-mash of word-lists, puzzles, historical digressions and Private Eye-style howlers … as a browsable treat for self or others, it will fit that stocking-shaped gap in the gift market very neatly.’
— Boyd Tonkin