Are you in the pudding club? Do you look like a dog's dinner? Have you joined the great majority? If you do not have Asperger's syndrome or another autism spectrum disorder, and you answer is in the affirmative in all cases, you know you are pregnant, badly dressed, and dead. If you do have Asperger's syndrome or the like, you have taken these questions literally rather than symbolically and are only just starting the process of interpreting them. Stuart-Hamilton (developmental psychology, U. of Glamorgan) lists hundreds of expressions so those with autism spectrum disorders and others (including the innocent, those new to UK culture and language and all the rest of us who cannot make sense of a certain symbolic phrases) can better sort out what those around us are saying. For example, you too may be relieved to discover that "bear fruit" involves neither bears nor fruit. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Addressing an important aspect of social communication for people with Asperger Syndrome, who use direct, precise language and `take things literally', this dictionary of idiomatic expressions aims to dispel any confusion that arises from the misinterpretation of language. This book provides explanations of over 5,000 idiomatic expressions plus a guide to their politeness level. Each expression is accompanied by a clear explanation of its meaning and when and how it might be used. The expressions are taken from British and American English, with some Australian expressions included as well. Although the book is primarily intended for people with Asperger Syndrome, it will be useful for anyone who finds problems understanding idiomatic and colloquial English. An essential resource and an informative read, this dictionary will assist in a wide range of situations.
