The Meaning of Liff
The Original Dictionary Of Things There Should Be Words For
Published on 23. October 2025
Book
Hardback
256 pages
978-1-0350-5145-8 (ISBN)
Description
From Douglas Adams (The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy) and John Lloyd (Blackadder, Spitting Image, QI), this is the 42nd anniversary edition of The Meaning of Liff. Revised, updated and ready to change your life.
In life, there are hundreds of familiar experiences, feelings and objects for which no words exist, yet hundreds of strange words are idly loafing around on signposts, pointing at places. The Meaning of Liff connects the two. This is a hilariously essential dictionary of things there should be words for - where all the words themselves are recycled place names.
BERRIWILLOCK (n.) - An unknown workmate who writes 'All the best' on your leaving card.
ELY (n.) - The first, tiniest inkling that something, somewhere has gone terribly wrong.
GRIMBISTER (n.) - Large body of cars on a motorway all travelling at exactly the speed limit because one of them is a police car.
KETTERING (n.) - The marks left on your bottom or thighs after sunbathing on a wickerwork chair.
OCKLE (n.) - An electrical switch which appears to be off in both positions.
WOKING (ptcpl.vb.) - Standing in the kitchen wondering what you came in here for.
42 years later, The Meaning of Liff is back, but in a snazzier jacket.
Think of it as a mid-liff crisis.
In life, there are hundreds of familiar experiences, feelings and objects for which no words exist, yet hundreds of strange words are idly loafing around on signposts, pointing at places. The Meaning of Liff connects the two. This is a hilariously essential dictionary of things there should be words for - where all the words themselves are recycled place names.
BERRIWILLOCK (n.) - An unknown workmate who writes 'All the best' on your leaving card.
ELY (n.) - The first, tiniest inkling that something, somewhere has gone terribly wrong.
GRIMBISTER (n.) - Large body of cars on a motorway all travelling at exactly the speed limit because one of them is a police car.
KETTERING (n.) - The marks left on your bottom or thighs after sunbathing on a wickerwork chair.
OCKLE (n.) - An electrical switch which appears to be off in both positions.
WOKING (ptcpl.vb.) - Standing in the kitchen wondering what you came in here for.
42 years later, The Meaning of Liff is back, but in a snazzier jacket.
Think of it as a mid-liff crisis.
Reviews / Votes
Packed with that unique energy, all barmy and bristling and bold . . . above all, it dares to be silly. Fiercely, beautifully silly -- Russell T. Davies, writer and producer of Doctor Who on <i>The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy</i> Really entertaining and fun -- Michael Palin, broadcaster and comedian (Monty Python) on <i>The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy</i> Fizzing with ideas . . . brilliant -- Charlie Brooker, writer and producer of Black Mirror on <i>The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy</i>More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Pan Macmillan
Target group
Interest Age: From 18 years
Dimensions
Height: 178 mm
Width: 114 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
238 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-0350-5145-8 (9781035051458)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Douglas Adams | John Lloyd
The Meaning of Liff
The Original Dictionary Of Things There Should Be Words For
E-Book
10/2013
Boxtree Ltd
€25.49
Available for download
Previous edition
Douglas Adams | John Lloyd
The Meaning of Liff
The Original Dictionary Of Things There Should Be Words For
Book
08/2013
Boxtree Ltd
€36.08
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Persons
Douglas Adams created all the various and contradictory manifestations of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: radio, novels, TV, computer game, stage adaptations, comic book and bath towel. He lectured and broadcasted around the world, and was a patron of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and Save the Rhino International. Douglas Adams was born in Cambridge, UK, and lived with his wife and daughter in Islington, London, before moving to Santa Barbara, California, where he died suddenly in 2001.
John Lloyd is one of the most successful comedy television producers of all time, having been responsible for Not the Nine O'Clock News, Blackadder, QI and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
John Lloyd is one of the most successful comedy television producers of all time, having been responsible for Not the Nine O'Clock News, Blackadder, QI and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.