Buzzwords: A Scientist Muses on Sex, Bugs, and Rock 'n' Roll

by May R. Berenbaum

What sort of person devotes their life to the study of bugs? How do you picture your average, every-day entomologist? "I've been photographed on several occasions," writes author May Berenbaum, "and it seems that every time, photographers ask me to pose in one of three seated in front of a microscope, with an insect (usually a cockroach) on my face, or with an insect net clutched in my hand." In Buzzwords , Berenbaum expertly blows away these stereotypes with short takes on all things entomological?from the story of a pet ant kept for 14 years to major motion pictures featuring cockroaches. Buzzwords showcases the Best of Berenbaum, a selection from her humor column in the American Entomologist professional journal, accompanied by a number of original pieces written for this book. "I know people are reading these columns," she notes, "because they write me letters that point out all the mistakes I've made!" The book comes in four Along the way are some thought-provoking observations?for example, about the impact of television on public knowledge of science. In one poll, Berenbaum writes, 35% of adults said they believed that prehistoric humans coexisted with dinosaurs, a la the Flintstones. Berenbaum even takes on the controversy over alternative medicine, fearlessly purchasing Chinese medicinal insects during a professional trip to Vancouver, which also happened to be her honeymoon. "Okay, so maybe giving two talks at an International Congress of Entomology is not everybody's idea of a romantic honeymoon venue, but it seemed like a good idea at the time." Berenbaum is a noted scientist in a field that doesn't always gets the respect it deserves, but she shows us that there's a fun and even freaky side of life with insects. While working on the University of Illinois' annual Insect Fear Film Festival she received a letter from a "crush freak" who waxed lyrical about a young, sexy babe with a size 9 or 10 shoe. Berenbaum writes, "On the one hand, it's almost gratifying to think that insect pest management can arouse people's interest to such an extreme extent. On the other hand, it has convinced me not to list my shoe size in the biographical sketch of my next book." Readers will appreciate learning how the word "shloop" was introduced to the medical literature when physicians used a metal suction tip to remove a cockroach from a patient's ear canal, and how one investigator named a series of subspecies bobana, cocana, dodana, and so forth, "anticipating by 60 years the song, 'The Name Game,' by Shirley Ellis." Although you'll chuckle all the way, Berenbaum has the last laugh, giving powerful lessons in the spectacular diversity of the insect world and the nature of scientific discovery, cleverly packaged as witty observations on subjects far and wide. If you're a scientist or you like reading about science?better yet, if you've ever found a fly in your soup (or worried that you might have unknowingly just slurped one down with your tomato bisque?this book is for you.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Biology, Animals

318 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

May Roberta Berenbaum is an American entomologist whose research focuses on the chemical interactions between herbivorous insects and their host-plants, and the implications of these interactions on the organization of natural communities and the evolution of species.

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Amazon review: Buzzwords, a compilation of humor columns written for American Entomologist by May Berenbaum from 1991-1999, combines science and wit with a little bit of everyday life to come up with some pretty funny - and interesting - stuff for entomologists and entomologist wanna-bes.
While these essays were written for the scientific community and there are occasional lapses into research methods or Latin syntax, for the most part the essays are in common English and provide some great information on insects in a much lighter format than the average scientific texts.
For example, essays like "Putting on Airs," in which Berenbaum documents the years of research scientists have spent calculating exactly how much methane gas termites are responsible for producing (i.e.: how much termites fart), and "Inquiring Minds Want to Know" which details how often cockroaches make the pages of tabloid magazines, there is much for the non-entomologist to enjoy.
Of course Berenbaum deals with the more serious side of entomology as well, such as in the essay "Just Say Notoclontid?" that details the former president George Bush's plan to raid coca fields by dropping caterpillars from helicopters as part of his efforts on the "war on drugs," she just does it a little tounge-in-cheek.
Overall, Buzzwords is an educational book with a dose of humor, fun to read and, best of all, it won't leave you itchy all over!

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Su · Rating 3 out of 5]

All I know about insects is that some of them like to snack on my garden and that I don't want any of them in my house. I don't know if that level of ignorance makes May Berenbaum's book more interesting to me, but I did enjoy it. It wasn't so gripping that I couldn't put it down-- I did, a few times-- but I definitely liked it.

If humorous essays about life as an entomologist or about all things buggy are appealing to you, then give this one a whirl.

[Sarah Vendetti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entomology lovers only! If you belong to the Entomological Society of America and love reading Dr. Berenbaums sharp witty and utterly hilarious column, Buzzwords get ready to be on overload. This is a compilation of those in printed in American Entomologist.

[dirt · Rating 4 out of 5]

skirvin gave me this book back when he was totally into bugs. he studied under may berenbaum and was able to get me an autographed copy. woot woot!