There are at least two qualifications a book like The F-Word – a paperback with thousands of uses of the word fuck – should meet. First, it must be comprehensive, so you can find your favorite fucking usages; and second, well-organized, so it doesn't postpone gratification to the point where you no longer give a fuck.
On these counts, The F-Word succeeds. Some may have nits to pick, though, as I did. I found seven of my top 10 F-words immediately, (including fuck a duck, rat-fuck, and abso-fucking-lutely). But missing was joke 'em if they can't take a fuck, although I did find the original
Still, there were plenty of surprises, like snafu, which I had no idea began as a military acronym for situation normal, all fucked up. As to this book's durability – it's a little early to say, but The F-Word may get an F. It has one of those new glossy covers that curl up like a desiccated leaf after a few minutes in the sun – not exactly a promising sign for a book destined to make the rounds. And yet, if the book endures, you can bet fewer will take the F-word in vain.
The F-Word, edited by Jesse Sheidlower: US$12.95. Random House: +1 (212) 751 2600.
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The F-Word
