Join Celia Bookshop for a virtual talk by Swarthmore writer Ben Yagoda about his delightful, informative book Gobsmacked! The British Invasion of American English–a spot-on guide to how and why Americans have become so bloody keen on Britishisms. This is the very first of an eclectic mix of literary events, informal conversations, and book-centered social gatherings to be hosted by the new bookstore, Celia Bookshop, which will open in the heart of Swarthmore next fall.

Gobsmacked! features chapters on the American embrace of British insults and curses, sports terms, and words about food and drinks. It explores the American adoption of British spellings, pronunciations, and grammar, and cases where Americans have misconstrued British expressions (for example, changing can’t be arsed to can’t be asked) or adopted faux-British usages, like pronouncing divisive as “divisive.” Finally, the book offers some guidance on just how many Britishisms an American can safely adopt without coming off like an arse.

We can’t wait to see you on Monday, March 10!