The Lover’s Tongue: A Merry Romp Through the Language of Love and sex by Mark Morton (Insomniac), 235 pages. $21.95 papers. Rating: NNN
Rating: NNN
Want to spice up your love letters? Read this book. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Morton has created a dictionary of delicious terms of endearment, from Aaron’s rod to tuzzy muzzy. The chapter headings are witty puns on anatomy and gender. Historical trivia and quotable quotes dot each page and make this a delightful read. Do you know the word for having sex in a parked car? Neither did I until I read this book.
Morton has thoroughly researched his subject and clearly loves his work. His previous foray into the curious etymologies of the English language was Cupboard Love: A Dictionary Of Culinary Oddities, which earned him a Julia Child Award nomination.
If you think the boomers, those guerrillas of the sexual revolution, invented sexual innuendo, think again. Shakespeare used “hot” to describe a lusty wench in Henry IV. Morton traces sexual double entendres back to Chaucer and beyond.
The Lover’s Tongue is both scholarly and a witty read. You’ll be inspired to create a unique poem for your significant other – or, at the very least, be able to comment on his or her shortcomings with newfound eloquence. Wicked.
This book is written with tongue firmly in cheek, and it deserves a place on your reference shelf and gift list. A bibliography of recommended reading and source material is included.
By the way, the word for having sex in a parked car is amomaxia.
