That's Not English

A lifelong Anglophile, Erin Moore spent holidays in the UK, worked as an editor with British authors and married into an English-American family. So, when she finally moved to London, the last thing she expected was a crash course in culture shock. And the first thing she learned was to take nothing for granted, even the language these two countries supposedly share.

In That's Not English , the seemingly superficial variations between British and American vocabulary open the door to a deeper exploration of historical and cultural differences. Each chapter begins with a single word and takes the reader on a wide-ranging expedition, drawing on diverse and unexpected sources. In 'Quite', Moore examines the tension between British reserve and American enthusiasm. In 'Pull', her theme is dating and sex; 'Cheers ' is about drinking.

American readers will find out what the British mean when they say 'proper ' and why it is better to be bright than clever. British readers will discoverthat not all Americans are Yankees and why Americans give - and take - so many bloody compliments, and never, ever say 'shall ' . (Well, hardly ever.)

That's Not English is a transatlantic survival guide and a love letter to two countries that owe each other more than they would like to admit.