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Mangled English
Sometimes what we say and write can lead to a great deal of misunderstanding and unintentional humour, as bestselling author and former school inspector Gervase Phinn shows in his book 'Gervase Phinn's Mangled English', a humorous anthology of the mistakes, misprints, malapropisms and misunderstandings in the English language. It includes book requests ('Lionel Richie's Wardrobe by Cecily Lewis') and book titles (Handbook for the Limbless); people's names (Nora Bone); proverbs ('If he died with a face like that, nobody would wash the corpse'); spoonerisms ('The British Broadcorping Castration'); classroom howlers ('A fibula is a small lie'); malapropisms ('She's got a congenial disease') and euphemisms ('I'm off to shed a tear for Nelson'); newspaper misprints ('New research into causes of dysexlia'); and epitaphs ('He died in peace. His wife died first').
- GenresLanguageNonfictionHumor
Paperback
First published October 1, 2013
4 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
About the author
Gervase Phinn
100 books173 followersGervase Phinn (born 27 December 1946, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England) is an English author and educator. After a career as a teacher he became a schools inspector.
He is now a freelance lecturer, broadcaster and writer, a consultant for the Open University, Honorary Fellow of St. John's College, York, Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) of the University of Leicester, Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) of The University of Hull and the Fellow and Visiting Professor of Education at The University of Teesside.
In 2005 the highest academic award of Sheffield Hallam University, Doctor of the University (D.Univ.) was conferred upon him by the Chancellor, Professor Lord Robert Winston. In 2006 he became President of The School Library Association.
He has published five volumes of memoir, collections of poetry and a number of books about education. He has a particular interest in children's literature and literacy.
He is married with four grown-up children.
He is now a freelance lecturer, broadcaster and writer, a consultant for the Open University, Honorary Fellow of St. John's College, York, Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) of the University of Leicester, Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) of The University of Hull and the Fellow and Visiting Professor of Education at The University of Teesside.
In 2005 the highest academic award of Sheffield Hallam University, Doctor of the University (D.Univ.) was conferred upon him by the Chancellor, Professor Lord Robert Winston. In 2006 he became President of The School Library Association.
He has published five volumes of memoir, collections of poetry and a number of books about education. He has a particular interest in children's literature and literacy.
He is married with four grown-up children.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 13, 2022
While the featured English language usage gaffes encountered in Gervase Phinn's Mangled English are indeed and definitely both fun and really entertainingly diverting, I have also often found with the majority of tomes presenting collected tidbits of accidentally and inadvertently funny vocabulary and grammar/stylistic mistakes that these books, that these collections do have the tendency to become more than a bit tedious.
And thus Mangled English of course equally manages unfortunately to wear somewhat thin the more of Gervase Phinn's featured examples one reads, that it simply can and does become somewhat dragging and almost too painfully and gratingly funny to be served a continuous platter, a never ceasing and ending barrage of grammar mistakes, wrong vocabulary usage and mixed metaphors (and that Mangled English is certainly no exception here), which is also the primary reason, I usually and generally tend to read Mangled English and similar such collections in small bits and pieces whenever I need a laugh and/or a pick-me-up (for example, I often peruse the "Student Blooper" sections of such tomes during and in particular after painful and frustrating exam and assignment marking sessions).
Three solid stars for Mangled English and most definitely recommended, but I have and gladly so upvoted Mangled English to four stars. Because yes, I do very much appreciate that unlike for example Richard Lederer with his Anguished English collections, Gervase Phinn never becomes arrogant and holier than thou in Mangled English. And honestly, it certainly feels good to have an author/compiler of error of usage examples not show a boasting and a full of himself/herself text (since author arrogance can and does often ruin books on English language mistakes for me, which in my opinion and happily, Gervase Phinn totally and delightfully avoids with Mangled English).
And thus Mangled English of course equally manages unfortunately to wear somewhat thin the more of Gervase Phinn's featured examples one reads, that it simply can and does become somewhat dragging and almost too painfully and gratingly funny to be served a continuous platter, a never ceasing and ending barrage of grammar mistakes, wrong vocabulary usage and mixed metaphors (and that Mangled English is certainly no exception here), which is also the primary reason, I usually and generally tend to read Mangled English and similar such collections in small bits and pieces whenever I need a laugh and/or a pick-me-up (for example, I often peruse the "Student Blooper" sections of such tomes during and in particular after painful and frustrating exam and assignment marking sessions).
Three solid stars for Mangled English and most definitely recommended, but I have and gladly so upvoted Mangled English to four stars. Because yes, I do very much appreciate that unlike for example Richard Lederer with his Anguished English collections, Gervase Phinn never becomes arrogant and holier than thou in Mangled English. And honestly, it certainly feels good to have an author/compiler of error of usage examples not show a boasting and a full of himself/herself text (since author arrogance can and does often ruin books on English language mistakes for me, which in my opinion and happily, Gervase Phinn totally and delightfully avoids with Mangled English).
January 11, 2014
This is one of the few books that I have read that had me laughing until I cried! Definitely for those of you who enjoy the richness and complexity of the English language and its comical misuse. A book that is easy to dip in and out of but difficult to resist blurting out snippets and ruining the best bits for your partner! It does get a little more heavy duty towards the end but I liked GP's balance of the humour and the beauty in our language.
April 28, 2014
This is the ultimate lavatory book, though it would work just as well in a caravan.
By that I mean that this is a book best experienced when you have nothing better to do.
Effectively a collection of hearsay and anecdotes based around misuse of English, it's a little "she said", "he said" at times and a bit fuzzy on details which makes you question just how true half of them are.
I would have greatly preferred a book that took such examples and traced their origins or, to go down a different route, was a collection of reader submitted examples rather than it just being a feeling of an old man regaling you with tales of hearsay.
Great for when you need something to take the edge off tedium, otherwise there are far more fun, enjoyable and riveting books on the English language than this.
If it were a TV show, it would be one of those insipid vox-pop shows like '100 Greatest Kitchen Gadgets Ever' that you might watch for thirty seconds then forgetting.
To sum up in a word, 'disposable'.
By that I mean that this is a book best experienced when you have nothing better to do.
Effectively a collection of hearsay and anecdotes based around misuse of English, it's a little "she said", "he said" at times and a bit fuzzy on details which makes you question just how true half of them are.
I would have greatly preferred a book that took such examples and traced their origins or, to go down a different route, was a collection of reader submitted examples rather than it just being a feeling of an old man regaling you with tales of hearsay.
Great for when you need something to take the edge off tedium, otherwise there are far more fun, enjoyable and riveting books on the English language than this.
If it were a TV show, it would be one of those insipid vox-pop shows like '100 Greatest Kitchen Gadgets Ever' that you might watch for thirty seconds then forgetting.
To sum up in a word, 'disposable'.
April 23, 2023
A light-hearted look at many oddities in the English language. It's all been done before, but if you aren't familiar with this sort of thing, give it a try. It's edumacational.
Read about spoonerisms, euphemisms, and ACRONYMS, classroom howlers, funny book titles, graffiti, and much more.
Read about spoonerisms, euphemisms, and ACRONYMS, classroom howlers, funny book titles, graffiti, and much more.
January 24, 2015
Phinn discusses the English language when it goes horrible wrong and all the other wonders of being both a native or non-native speaker. Great fun, very entertaining and some laugh out loud moments.
August 2, 2017
Good book but hearing it from the man himself is better
January 10, 2026
Mangled English by Gervase Phinn is a small comprehensive book looking at the English language in all its’ complex beauty. This is highly amusing as we read about the blunders and gaffs when words are used wrongly.
There is much humour when different dialects connect. “A Southern woman became a teacher at a Bradford school… left her classroom in search of a dustbin… ‘Where’s the bin?’ she enquired. ‘Ah’ve bin t’toilet, if it’s owt to do wi’ thee’ came the blunt reply.”
We learn the origins of some of the English terms for the misuse of words, such as malapropisms. Some examples given are: “He’s a wolf in cheap clothing.” As well as: “He had to go to the solicitor to sign a Happy David.”
Children often cause us to chuckle: “’What is the total?... And what is the remainder?’ the teacher asked. ‘The remainder, miss, is the animal what pulls Santa’s sleigh.’”
Sometimes people just mishear words. “Surely Good Mrs Murphey shall follow me all the days of my life.” And one that made me snigger: “Use a bum St Bernard to heat the test tube.”
Gervase Phinn looks at many angles of the English language including graffiti, abbreviations and their meanings within certain sectors of society. “PITB – Pain In The Bum.” There are also translations into English that don’t always work. And a look at poetry and epitaphs. Gervase Phinn also shares his list of words that many of us fail to spell correctly.
There is so much to discover about the English language in this book. It is full of riches as well as highly amusing. “If at first you don’t succeed, sky diving is not for you.” Misheard book titles caused a titter in me: “Harry Potter And The Chamberpot Secret.”
Mangled English is a lovely little book that will educate you and also make you laugh. Humour is often the best medicine. I always enjoy books by Gervase Phinn.
There is much humour when different dialects connect. “A Southern woman became a teacher at a Bradford school… left her classroom in search of a dustbin… ‘Where’s the bin?’ she enquired. ‘Ah’ve bin t’toilet, if it’s owt to do wi’ thee’ came the blunt reply.”
We learn the origins of some of the English terms for the misuse of words, such as malapropisms. Some examples given are: “He’s a wolf in cheap clothing.” As well as: “He had to go to the solicitor to sign a Happy David.”
Children often cause us to chuckle: “’What is the total?... And what is the remainder?’ the teacher asked. ‘The remainder, miss, is the animal what pulls Santa’s sleigh.’”
Sometimes people just mishear words. “Surely Good Mrs Murphey shall follow me all the days of my life.” And one that made me snigger: “Use a bum St Bernard to heat the test tube.”
Gervase Phinn looks at many angles of the English language including graffiti, abbreviations and their meanings within certain sectors of society. “PITB – Pain In The Bum.” There are also translations into English that don’t always work. And a look at poetry and epitaphs. Gervase Phinn also shares his list of words that many of us fail to spell correctly.
There is so much to discover about the English language in this book. It is full of riches as well as highly amusing. “If at first you don’t succeed, sky diving is not for you.” Misheard book titles caused a titter in me: “Harry Potter And The Chamberpot Secret.”
Mangled English is a lovely little book that will educate you and also make you laugh. Humour is often the best medicine. I always enjoy books by Gervase Phinn.
November 16, 2022
As a Dutch immigrant, I have always been amazed by the quirks of the English language. My children go to school in English, and I have to keep reminding them that English is one of the hardest languages to master. In what world are "trough," "plough," "through," and "tough" pronounced 4 different ways?! In this book, the author showed me that my family's difficulties were not unique - seems that native English speakers also struggle with these issues at times. Thanks for making me feel better with this humorous work, Mr. Phinn!
January 6, 2025
Gervase Phinn has written another thoroughly readable book, full of two of his favourite things, words and phrases. English as a language is tricky, confusing, easy to get wrong, hard to understand, impossible to spell at times but never the less, it is spoken by over a billion people. Here we read about the funny ways we all get it wrong, whether by mistakes in our spelling, our pronunciation or punctuation. I laughed out loud and will be re-reading this just as soon as I get my own copy, it's a terrific book!
April 5, 2020
If you enjoy words and how we use (or abuse!) language, this is a book which will, at times, make you laugh out loud! With chapters which explore different themes (pronunciation, spoonerisms, euphemisms, classroom howlers, acronyms - to name just a few!) it's an easy book to dip in and out of.
May 30, 2021
Made me laugh in places
June 19, 2016
It's OK, but it's a book of lists, really, there's not much else in it.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews