Tavern Anecdotes and Sayings

Charles Hindley (ed)

Published by Tinsley Brothers, London: United Kingdom, 1875

About this Item

William West (1770?1854) was a bookseller and antiquarian who wrote a series of articles about his experiences in the book trade. In 1825, West published a collection of alehouse jokes, stories and trivia under the pseudonym 'One Of the Old School'. This edition is an expanded version, edited and annotated by popular writer Charles Hindley (d. 1893) and first published in 1875. A boozy, more whimsical cousin to Ambrose Bierce's 1906 The Devil's Dictionary, the book features playful definitions of tavern slang and terminology. In addition to witty stories and puns, there is also a wealth of information about the origins of pub names, the origins of alcohol and its regulation under the law. This is a dry and humorous text which still possesses the power to amuse, but also contains rich detail about contemporary culture and society, including insights on Fleet Street, the military and colonial Britain. Stained end papers, the end page a little loose with the boards a little worn and bumped, otherwise the pages are clean.  Small ink stamps on end page at front and on title page. Seller Inventory # 000018

Bibliographic Details

Title: Tavern Anecdotes and Sayings

Publisher: Tinsley Brothers, London: United Kingdom

Publication Date: 1875

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: Good

Edition: 1st Edition