The Wicked Wit of Scotland

by Rod Green

This funny and beautifully observed book pulls together humorous stories, funny quotes, quips and anecdotes about this small but remarkable country.

While the Scots are proud of their friendly reputation, loud about their many contributions to the world – such as whisky, penicillin and television – and fiercely protective of Scottish delicacies such as haggis and Irn Bru, they are also celebrated for their famously dry and dark humour.

Featuring wit and wisdom from writers such as Armando Iannucci, Compton Mackenzie, Stanley Baxter and Neil Munro, this light-hearted book celebrates Scottish wit at its best while looking at the culture, folklore, politics and sport that make up Scotland.
This funny and beautifully observed book pulls together stories, quotes, quips and anecdotes from Scots talking about Scotland and others from all over the world relating what they most admire about the country that Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling described as ‘one of the most hauntingly beautiful places in the world. The history is fascinating, the men are handsome and the whisky is delicious. But don’t eat the macaroni pies.’ Featuring wit and wisdom from writers such as Armando Iannucci and Compton Mackenzie, Stanley Baxter and Neil Munro, the sometimes dubious delights of Scottish cuisine are discussed, along with the culture, folklore, politics and sport that will help us to understand just what makes Scotland tick.

Genres: Humor, Scotland, Nonfiction

161 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2018

About the author

Rod Green is a children’s writer who has worked with many publishers, including Puffin and HarperCollins. With Templar, he has written books in the Mean Machines series.

Reviews

[Ambrose Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this as a Christmas present for a friend and spent the time I was supposed to be doing other things more important, reading this book for a good laugh. Tomorrow is Sunday and I’ve got all day to do the things I was supposed to do today.
As for out dates, I suppose, anything written by Shakespeare, mystery novels written before cell phones, books assuming the earth is flat and we are the center of the universe, are all out of date. Who very much cares. We read them all anyway.

[Mary Tsiara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure what this book was exactly about but it makes a good flight read. Fun but slightly outdated, including a lot of info I'd like to cross-check, and packed with a flood of quotes from famous Scottish personalities.

[Jen · Rating 1 out of 5]

An outdated look at Scotland.

I felt offended by this book and it's portrait of the Scottish people. The jokes are archaic, there is a lot of filler and clearly the writer thinks their own "jokes" are hilarious so has included them and some one liners at the end of the "stories". The content is about a lot of people who are dead and/or not relevant to Scotland any longer. So much so I was surprised when the Scottish independence vote was included as a subject. I also noted that the writer quotes Scotland's worst poet William McGonagall's first 5 verses of his poem about a man who when drunk or sober would beat his wife as "wisest and... also the funniest" Don't perpetuate violence against women.

Scotland is full of wonderful people, not just men who are, right now, making it a brilliant place to live. I wouldn't take this book as a view of Scotland as it is. Perhaps it is meant as a view of how Scotland is portrayed in the media because I certainly didn't recognise the Scotland in this book.
I would not recommend anyone wastes their time on this.

[Haley's Book Haven · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great gift for someone who wants to visit Scotland or who is just wants to learn more about the country. It covers a good variety of topics including the weather, cuisine, politics, dialect, and more. My personal favorite section is the one on obscure Scottish folklore. While there's lots of fun facts to be learned, there is one big drawback: the writing style. The author thinks that he's hilarious when in reality his jokes are quite cringe-worthy. Even given that, I still think this is worth the read as it's quick and the various sections can read in any order without losing out on any context.

[Kathleen Lara · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love all things Scottish but this book was a waste of time. It makes all Scots look like drunk brutes and had zero humor. The jokes were not funny and some of the stories didn’t even make sense. This book was such a great idea and an easy read but the author did not pull it off. It took me forever to read because I dreaded reading this one and read multiple books in between. The poem at the end about a man beating his wife to death was disgusting. Scotland has fantastic wit and wisdom but none of it is found in this awful book.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but sweet. It’s an anthology of Scots humour- jokes, quotations, observations and commentary.
I often laughed out loud. Not all of it was new to me but there was often a new twist.

It was an ideal pick-me-up for a Scot living in England and wondering when it will be safe (or socially acceptable) to go home for a wee bit and see my siblings. B***dy virus!!! In lockdown I have got more homesick than usual.

[Lynn Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous

I read the whole darn thing in one joyful sitting with the exception of numerous asides to go run and read aloud the funniest bits to members of my family. They were simply too funny not to share immediately. Also, I knew that if I didn't read them word for word I would most likely screw them up terribly in the retelling. Each earned multiple giggles, grins and guffaws. The whole family enjoyed the book!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining! This book kept me happily amused, a little reflective, and a smidge more insightful about the people and places I had seen as I read this on our way from Glenfinnan down to Pitlochry and onwards to Edinburgh.

Just finished the book today back in England, lighting on the funnies around the rivalry between the two countries at the opportune time.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh what a cheeky lot we Scots are. Full of puns, lore, jokes, and snark, this is a book full of quotable lines and future punchlines for your next gathering. Lots of quips from the greats. Fun collective for any Celtic reader.

[Tracy Friedman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christmas gift with some fun anecdotes. Makes me nostalgic for my family. And as it says in the book, "Half-Scottish is Scottish as far as we are concerned because the Scottish portion will stand head and shoulders above all the rest."

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was funny… some parts more than others. The politics I didn’t really understand and half the quoted comedians and celebrities I’ve never even heard of, but it was light and entertaining, which is what I wanted/expected.

[Kirsty Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick easy read - I need to go research some of the authors quoted now

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a "cute" little book. I recommend that you read this if one is going to take a trip to Scotland, which before this virus we were going to do.
Can do it in a day.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read. Lots's of great stories and information about all 5hings Scottish.

[Tom Devlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read with some amusing stories and quotes. Brought back some fun memories of past trips to Scotland. Enjoyed the “What did he say” section towards the end, complete with an A-Z glossary.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, entertaining, and sometimes even educational

[Lghamilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was entertained; consistently dry. Actually looked up the Worst Poet in the World (William Topaz McGonagall) to confirm his existence and his ranking.

[Melinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read if you're of Scottish ancestry or just trying to understand them. It was funny in parts.

[Marcus Rothstein · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is interesting but not so much that I’d say read it above all else. I suggest you spend time in Scotland and experience it for yourself.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read; quite humorous

[Shaun Deane · Rating 2 out of 5]

A gift from a friend.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun and funny little book! Makes me want to go to Scotland!

[Brian Heck · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amusing collection of stories and quotes related to all things Scotland.

A quick read that will make you laugh and bring a smile to your face.

[Janice Muir · Rating 3 out of 5]

Semi amusing

[Han · Rating 2 out of 5]

Such a promising title, but it failed to deliver. Some amusing bits, but most of the anecdotes and stories weren't that funny. The best lines were the quotes from famous Scots.

[Ginny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, but weird, read.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

After my several journeys to Scotland, I could relate to this sweet book! Laugh out loud funny in some parts and a glossary of pronunciations that I'll always find handy.

[Hannah Coulstock · Rating 4 out of 5]

nice easy read and some things i didn’t know