What do you think?
Rate this book
SUBURBAN DICTIONARY: The Subtle, The Funny, And The Snarky: Your Guide to Suburbanese
Suburban Dictionary is a user’s guide to Suburbanese, and a guide to the quirky behavior found in the burbs. The snarky and the cheeky make many appearances, with generous helpings of sarcasm. Euphemisms, a hallmark of suburbanese, get “special” treatment. We give a nod to cul-de-sac personalities, such as the neighborhood eccentric and the Goth kids. The recluse a few doors down makes a (rare) appearance.
You Should Read this Book
* You enjoy snarky language; but also enjoy amusing and charming expressions.
* You like a good zinger or “comeback.”
* You can't say ''suburban'' without saying "Bourbon."
* You wonder about the slang meaning of "solar panel,” ''dual equipment," and “bird bath.”
* You wonder what “wet leaves” means in Japanese slang.
There was a need for a book that talks about things that can get you into trouble — sex and drugs — but does so with expressions that hopefully won’t get you into trouble, should you repeat them. Suburban Dictionary rises to the occasion.
Compiled during years of research, Suburban Dictionary was written by Timothy Fay. A writer with 15 years of experience in both journalism and finance, Tim is a former reporter at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Author's friendly collecting, writing, and reading about slang and sarcastic expressions is addictive.
You Should Read this Book
* You enjoy snarky language; but also enjoy amusing and charming expressions.
* You like a good zinger or “comeback.”
* You can't say ''suburban'' without saying "Bourbon."
* You wonder about the slang meaning of "solar panel,” ''dual equipment," and “bird bath.”
* You wonder what “wet leaves” means in Japanese slang.
There was a need for a book that talks about things that can get you into trouble — sex and drugs — but does so with expressions that hopefully won’t get you into trouble, should you repeat them. Suburban Dictionary rises to the occasion.
Compiled during years of research, Suburban Dictionary was written by Timothy Fay. A writer with 15 years of experience in both journalism and finance, Tim is a former reporter at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Author's friendly collecting, writing, and reading about slang and sarcastic expressions is addictive.
- GenresNonfiction
112 pages, ebook
Published December 23, 2019
About the author
Timothy Fay
7 books23 followersKnow what a “solar panel” is? Umm ... a bald spot on the back of a man’s head. A collector of slang and sarcasm, Timothy worked as a writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in the '90s. Timothy decided in 2017 to share the fun-loving best of "the Subtle, the Funny and the Snarky." Suburban Dictionary is the result!
When not writing, Tim can be caught exploring the western US ... the "call of the canyons."
When not writing, Tim can be caught exploring the western US ... the "call of the canyons."
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 19, 2020
Often find yourself wondering what in the heck people are saying these days or is it just me? Has the English language become one long acronym and renders the majority of us speechless?
When you find yourself politely nodding when someone shouts the virtues of a YouTube video being so ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response - triggers a tingle on the spine) or asking for a ‘John Daly’ (it’s an Arnold Palmer - iced tea and lemonade - with vodka added), then this dictionary by author and journalist Timothy Fay will guide you through the new way to speak, or at least enable you to understand what others are endeavoring to articulate.
Set out pretty much like a standard dictionary, words are given its meaning and in some cases an example of how it would be used.
There are ordinary words that surprisingly have other meanings such as ‘landmine’ – slang for hidden dog doo and other such surprises. Many expressions I’ve heard (‘she-shed’ – the female equivalent of a man cave) I’ve come across. With words/acronyms/phrases from around the world, the book opens up the myriad of expressions and words used in an everyday setting.
Clear, concise and easy to read, I really enjoyed this quirky read. It’s funny – ‘lackanookie’ (little bedroom action) still makes me giggle and informative in a strange way. I hadn’t heard of the expression ‘on everything but roller skates’, which means heavily medicated. Either read in one sitting or flick through and research things you’ve heard – ‘bike salmon’ (cycling the wrong way), ‘dessertarian’ (emphasizes desserts in the diet) and “I’ll Venmo you” means a check in the mail. Throughout I found myself, smiling, nodding in agreement (to a meaning), muttering ‘huh’ (as in, is that what it means?) groaning at the puns and just outright bursts of laughter.
Perhaps an alternative to the Oxford Dictionary? Useful for those not quite up to date with the new terms being spouted. Sure ain't "janky"! Lighthearted fun, informative and a must read for any logophile’s.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery to review. The opinions expressed are my own and I am not required to give a positive critique.
When you find yourself politely nodding when someone shouts the virtues of a YouTube video being so ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response - triggers a tingle on the spine) or asking for a ‘John Daly’ (it’s an Arnold Palmer - iced tea and lemonade - with vodka added), then this dictionary by author and journalist Timothy Fay will guide you through the new way to speak, or at least enable you to understand what others are endeavoring to articulate.
Set out pretty much like a standard dictionary, words are given its meaning and in some cases an example of how it would be used.
There are ordinary words that surprisingly have other meanings such as ‘landmine’ – slang for hidden dog doo and other such surprises. Many expressions I’ve heard (‘she-shed’ – the female equivalent of a man cave) I’ve come across. With words/acronyms/phrases from around the world, the book opens up the myriad of expressions and words used in an everyday setting.
Clear, concise and easy to read, I really enjoyed this quirky read. It’s funny – ‘lackanookie’ (little bedroom action) still makes me giggle and informative in a strange way. I hadn’t heard of the expression ‘on everything but roller skates’, which means heavily medicated. Either read in one sitting or flick through and research things you’ve heard – ‘bike salmon’ (cycling the wrong way), ‘dessertarian’ (emphasizes desserts in the diet) and “I’ll Venmo you” means a check in the mail. Throughout I found myself, smiling, nodding in agreement (to a meaning), muttering ‘huh’ (as in, is that what it means?) groaning at the puns and just outright bursts of laughter.
Perhaps an alternative to the Oxford Dictionary? Useful for those not quite up to date with the new terms being spouted. Sure ain't "janky"! Lighthearted fun, informative and a must read for any logophile’s.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery to review. The opinions expressed are my own and I am not required to give a positive critique.
May 29, 2020
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
A parody of the Urban Dictionary, giving humorous definitions to phrases one might hear in the 'burbs. A bit too self conscious.
Good for a chuckle.
A parody of the Urban Dictionary, giving humorous definitions to phrases one might hear in the 'burbs. A bit too self conscious.
Good for a chuckle.
September 6, 2021
I listen to this on Authors Direct as an audiobook and it had the perfect narrator, which made it so much funnier. I love the different chapters and all the lol moments! It’s hard to summarize the book but what I can say is it is the book about words we think mean one thing, but I actually mean something totally different. Like ankle bracelet… That’s an ankle monitor but that was being monitored by law enforcement. They have many more and I were either just funny or funnier. It is totally worth listening too I loved it!
February 20, 2022
SILLY STUFF TO MAKE YOU SMILE
Some really funny stuff that people
say... One of the things that I appreciate about this book is that it's in alphabetical order for easy reference so I can return to it as needed.
Some really funny stuff that people
say... One of the things that I appreciate about this book is that it's in alphabetical order for easy reference so I can return to it as needed.
June 7, 2021
Great reference tool for older people or newcomers
This urban American dictionary of slang is very funny and witty. It would really help anyone from abroad get used to current office water cooler lingo. I learned a bunch of new terms. Here is a sample: After the douchebag backed into a mattress with the twenty year-old at pair, he humble bragged about it and got caught. After his dogvorce, he became a Yimby and found a modern co-op apartment. He told his ex-wife he’d Venmo the alimony on the twelfth of never.
This urban American dictionary of slang is very funny and witty. It would really help anyone from abroad get used to current office water cooler lingo. I learned a bunch of new terms. Here is a sample: After the douchebag backed into a mattress with the twenty year-old at pair, he humble bragged about it and got caught. After his dogvorce, he became a Yimby and found a modern co-op apartment. He told his ex-wife he’d Venmo the alimony on the twelfth of never.
June 27, 2020
I would like to thank goodreads for my Kindle copy.
This is a collection of slang set up in dictionary form.
I read through it as a regular book instead of looking up specifics. Most entries made me laugh and others I had never heard of. Can't wait to put some of these to good use.
This is a collection of slang set up in dictionary form.
I read through it as a regular book instead of looking up specifics. Most entries made me laugh and others I had never heard of. Can't wait to put some of these to good use.
August 1, 2020
I won this in a Goodreads Giveaway. It made me lol for real! I can't wait to use these words irl. My kids will be so surprised and when they say "WTH" I will tell them to look it up in the Guide to Suburbanese.
June 11, 2020
I won this in a Goodreads Giveaway
This is like a new urban dictionary.. some of the words in it are pretty good. Quick read and enjoyable. A nice break from what is going on in the world!!
This is like a new urban dictionary.. some of the words in it are pretty good. Quick read and enjoyable. A nice break from what is going on in the world!!
December 11, 2021
Fun, quick read.
May 10, 2020
This was such a fun book! It was also a quick read, which is always good. Some of these I've heard all of my life, some were brand new to me, some appeared regional.
My very favorite one? Drain Surgeon (my husband is a plumber, lol) - he can't wait to use it!
I was delighted when I won this in a Goodreads Giveaway. Thank you!
My very favorite one? Drain Surgeon (my husband is a plumber, lol) - he can't wait to use it!
I was delighted when I won this in a Goodreads Giveaway. Thank you!
June 21, 2020
I won a Kindle version of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
I read it cover to cover and will definitely refer to it in the future. Some of the entries were familiar to me, but I learnt a lot of new definitions to words and phrases used in the suburbia. I appreciated the author’s use of humor in the definitions. It was an entertaining read.
I read it cover to cover and will definitely refer to it in the future. Some of the entries were familiar to me, but I learnt a lot of new definitions to words and phrases used in the suburbia. I appreciated the author’s use of humor in the definitions. It was an entertaining read.
January 10, 2021
Just wanted to thank everyone for the kind words about Suburban Dictionary, and for the awesome help providing cool "suburbanese" slang! Thank you!
November 20, 2020
For those of you who like laughs, or just like language, "Suburban Dictionary" is available now in paperback! Cheers!
December 1, 2020
My fault
I, for some reason, knew too many of the terms used in this book.
At first I read it because the thought of learning more funny smart ass replies to my friends would be fun for our group.
Sadly, I learned very little.
I, for some reason, knew too many of the terms used in this book.
At first I read it because the thought of learning more funny smart ass replies to my friends would be fun for our group.
Sadly, I learned very little.
October 19, 2021
Question for readers: What's an H.O.A.-hole? An HOA (homeowner's association) official who is a real a-hole when enforcing H.O.A. rules. .... like the H.O.A.-hole in the insurance ads.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews