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Guest Post with Anna Lefler, author of The CHICKtionary & Giveaway

December 7, 2011 by Darlene

Let’s all welcome Anna Lefler, author of The CHICKtionary: From A-Line to Z-Snap, the Words Every Woman Should Know, to Peeking Between the Pages today.  I reviewed The CHICKtionary yesterday (my review) and it is definitely one of those kinds of books to illicit more than a few giggles and eyebrow raises out of you.  I really enjoyed it and can’t wait to try out a few of the words on my friends.  Anna joins us today with a guest post entitled I Love the Smell of Frankenwood in the Morning…

 

I love Frankenwords – new words that are created by mashing together parts of existing ones. I love it even more when I am present at the birth of one of these little monsters, such as this one:

Shoebris, noun (shoe + hubris) – Extreme pride in one’s ability to repair shoes.

Here’s how it happened:

Recently, I bought two pairs of boots, both of which were so slick on the bottoms that they were like wearing stiletto buttered banana peels.

“You’re going to need non-skid soles,” the salesman said as I bear-hugged the full-length mirror, feet churning for traction on the marble floor. He recommended a shoe repair store in Beverly Hills, just a few blocks away.

The air in the store had the tang of shoe polish mixed with the yeasty scent of leather. Behind the wooden counter were rows of shoes with tags tucked into them. I was fascinated by the variety of footwear on display – the formal, the utilitarian, the hammered, the flamboyant, the sexually ambiguous.

As I scanned the rows, a startlingly petite elderly woman appeared behind the counter. She wore an outfit that appeared to be made entirely of lightweight black sweaters, including the slacks. Her wispy, silver/blonde hair was held in a small clip. She did not smile.

“Good morning,” she said.

“Hi.” I began to pull the first pair of boots from their box. “I just bought these and –”

“You will need the rubber.”

“I’m sorry?” I said, looking up from the boot.

“For not slipping.” She reached below the counter and pulled out a thin piece of textured rubber, slapping it on the wood like a butcher discarding inferior bologna.

“Yes,” I said, staring at the flap and trying to place her accent. It was vaguely Eastern European, but as my knowledge of that part of the world is based entirely on spy movies, I categorized it as “James Bondian.”

She watched me pull the other pair of boots from their box. Without breaking eye contact, her hand whipped out of sight and – slap! – another piece of rubber landed on the counter, this one a perfect match for the camel color of the boot’s sole.

“This will do, yes?” She cocked her eyebrow, daring me to reject the flap.

“Um, sure.” Didn’t she ever blink? I began tucking the boots back into the layers of tissue as she observed me, her eyeballs no doubt parching with the passing seconds.

She reached for a pad of thick yellow tickets and a ballpoint pen. “Name?”

“Anna…” I began.

“Phone number?”

I gave her the number. “Don’t you want my last name?” I wasn’t signing over the deed to my vacation home in Gstaad, but they hadn’t exactly been giving those boots away, either.

She looked up from the pad. She said nothing, but seemed to be considering my question. Finally, she replied. “I will take first letter of last name.”

After writing an elaborate L on the ticket, she placed the pen on the counter. The she folded her hands across the ticket and studied my face without speaking.

What was this? Was there some element of the transaction I had overlooked? I ran through the process in my mind again to be sure, but it seemed pretty straightforward to me: retail tradition dictated she needed to give me that yellow ticket and then I needed to leave.

She cocked her head five degrees to the left, eyes narrowing. “You are living in Beverly Hills?” She hit the first syllable hard. BEVerlyhills.

“No, um, I live in Santa Monica.”

“Pffft.” She looked away, then back again. “Where you take shoes in Santa Monica?” She said the town’s name with the same inflection that often accompanied the word “gonorrhea.”

“Ah, you know, I don’t remember. I guess I don’t have a regular place.”

She named several shoe repair stores, none of which were familiar to me. At which point I realized that I was being interviewed. Interviewed as a potential boot-leaver. And I don’t know what this says about me, but I very much wanted the job.

“I have a confession to make,” I said with an ingratiating laugh that came out like bronchitis. “I probably don’t give my shoes the attention they deserve.”

Tell me something I don’t know, her expression telegraphed. She took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders. “You must understand that Excelsior is the best at repairing shoes.” She paused, then seemed to remember something. “And by best I do not mean BEVerlyhills. I mean WHOLEcountry.”

“Of course!” I said. “That is what the shoe salesman said, too.” I eyed the ticket under her fingers. Had I passed the oral test?

“You tell this Santa Monica person the name Excelsior, he will know my store.”

“Oh, don’t worry, I’m never going back there again!” I considered spitting on the floor for emphasis. Too much?

She tore the ticket from the stiff little pad. “Anna L.,” she said and held it out to me. “It was pleasure meeting you.” I took it and smiled. “You will be exceptionally pleased with the work,” she said and folded her hands on the counter once more. “No doubt.”

“None at all!” I said and tucked the ticket out of sight in my inside purse pocket. “Thank you very much!” I waved goodbye and within seconds was back on the Beverly Hills sidewalk, an odd sense of triumph bubbling in my chest.

I was in, I thought. In at Excelsior!

[Note: the name of the store has been changed to protect myself…and my boots, which won’t be ready until Saturday.]

__________

Thanks so much for this terrific guest post Anna! Hope those boots are ok when you finally get them!  LOL.

__________

 

About The CHICKtionary by Anna Lefler

Your bestie, biffle, and GMF rolled into one!

You’re all over the definitions of “low lights,” “ruching,” and a “tankini.” But can you spot a “Mrs. Potato Head” when you see one?

That’s where The CHICKtionary comes in. The CHICKtionary is a humorous dictionary of the words and phrases women use—and what they really mean when they use them. The book corrals more than 450 terms, including some you know (uterus) and some you might not (flexting), and defines each from the perspective of a typical contemporary woman—a woman who avoids accidental pageant hair, is frenemies with her robotic vacuum and only occasionally relies on her high-waisted jeans to hold up her strapless bra.

I have to tell you that Anna Lefler’s CHICKtionary is pure genius. I always knew she was funny but the definitions you will find in this must-read guide to the way women speak are sure to make you laugh until you pee. ~ Stefanie Wilder-Taylor, comedian and author of Sippy Cups Are Not for Chardonnay: And Other Things I Had to Learn as a New Mom

Before reading Anna Lefler’s book, I had no idea that the word “herpes-ish” even existed. Now I can’t stop using it. This book is guaranteed to be passed around to all your friends. It’s totally herpes-ish. But in a good way. ~ Jenny Lawson, The Bloggess and author of the forthcoming Let’s Pretend This Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir from Amy Einhorn Books

Anna Lefler is an American original. She isn’t merely blazingly smart and achingly funny. She’s also so utterly sympatico with what women think and how women talk that years from now sociologists will be consulting CHICKtionary as the only true and tested source on the challenging but wholly worthy subject. The English language has a true friend in Anna. So, of course, do women. ~ Beth Kephart, National Book Award Finalist and author of thirteen books, both fiction and non-fiction including, most recently, YOU ARE MY ONLY.

 

About Anna Lefler

 

Anna Lefler is an award-winning writer and humorist whose work has appeared online at McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, The Big Jewel, Funny Not Slutty, and My Pheme, among others, while her essays on modern motherhood have been nationally syndicated. She is the author of the comic novel ACT BUSY and recently completed her second, DOING TIME IN THE GARDEN OF HAPPINESS.

Anna has performed standup comedy in Los Angeles clubs including the Hollywood Improv, the Comedy Store, Room 5 Lounge, and M Bar. She has presented her humorous essays at Women Who Write in Los Angeles and has appeared in the “Listen to Your Mother” show in the Los Angeles cast of its national program. Anna’s fiction has been presented onstage by WordTheatre Los Angeles.

Anna writes a popular humor blog called Life Just Keeps Getting Weirder, where she ponders what a Jedi smells like and wonders why more men don’t wear urban sport kilts. She has twice been asked to speak on the topic of comedy-writing at BlogHer, the world’s largest conference for women in social media.

She lives in Santa Monica, California with her husband, their son and daughter, and some judgmental dogs.

Connect with Anna on her website and her blog, Life Just Keeps Getting Weirder.

 

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

I have one copy of The CHICKtionary by Anna Lefler to share with my readers.  To enter…

  • For 1 entry leave me a comment simply entering the giveaway.
  • For another entry, follow my blog.  If you already do, thank you, and please let me know so I can pass the extra entry on to you as well.
  • For 3 entries, blog or tweet this giveaway and spread the word.

This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winner on Saturday, December 31/11.  Good luck everyone!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lisa Garrett says

    December 7, 2011 at 4:22 am

    I have been hearing good things about this book. I would love to read it.

  2. Lisa Garrett says

    December 7, 2011 at 4:22 am

    I follow via GFC.

  3. Lisa Garrett says

    December 7, 2011 at 4:23 am

    Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/lag32583/status/144376460419940352

  4. bermudaonion (Kathy) says

    December 7, 2011 at 6:30 am

    That is hilarious! Now I want to know if she was happy with the job they did.

  5. zibilee says

    December 7, 2011 at 6:55 am

    Oh my gosh, is that woman funny! I loved this story, and would love to read the book. It sounds like just the laugh I need right now! Fantastic guest post today, Dar. I loved it! Please do enter me in your giveaway as well!

    zibilee(at)figearo(dot)net

  6. Anne says

    December 7, 2011 at 7:48 am

    What a great wakeup story. many thanks.

  7. Anne says

    December 7, 2011 at 7:49 am

    I am an e-mail subscriber.

  8. Ellie says

    December 7, 2011 at 8:02 am

    Wonderful post which I enjoyed.

  9. Ellie says

    December 7, 2011 at 8:02 am

    I subscribe via e-mail.

  10. Anna Lefler says

    December 7, 2011 at 8:21 am

    Thanks so much for all the lovely comments and for hosting me and my silliness on your blog today! I love hearing that the post and the book made you laugh – you made my day!

    Thanks again!

    XOXO

    Anna

  11. harvee says

    December 7, 2011 at 11:01 am

    Sounds like a fun book and a good party conversation piece.

    I am a follower.

    harvee44 at yahoo.com

  12. wall-to-wall books-wendy says

    December 7, 2011 at 11:26 am

    This books looks great! I think if I win I would give this to my daughter (23 yrs.) she would love it!

    forevereading at gmail dot com

    I am a follower

    I posted it on my sidebar

  13. AmandaSue says

    December 7, 2011 at 1:15 pm

    Sounds like a nice book!

  14. AmandaSue says

    December 7, 2011 at 1:15 pm

    I’m a follower thanks.

  15. Myra C says

    December 7, 2011 at 1:24 pm

    I have read great reviews for this fun book, thanks for the giveaway!

    myra0502 at yahoo dot com

  16. Myra C says

    December 7, 2011 at 1:25 pm

    GFC follower Myra C

    myra0502 at yahoo dot com

  17. Karen Barnett says

    December 7, 2011 at 3:05 pm

    This is already on my wish list! What a great book to pass on to the granddaughters.
    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

  18. Karen Barnett says

    December 7, 2011 at 3:05 pm

    Email subscriber, GFC follower as Karen B.
    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

  19. Serena says

    December 7, 2011 at 4:45 pm

    This sounds like such a fun book. Thanks for the giveaway…I subscribe in email.

  20. Margaret says

    December 7, 2011 at 6:38 pm

    I absolutely have to read this one!

    Margaret
    singitm@hotmail.com

  21. Margaret says

    December 7, 2011 at 6:38 pm

    I’m a follower

    Margaret
    singitm@hotmail.com

  22. Chantal says

    December 7, 2011 at 7:03 pm

    This looks wonderful!

  23. Chantal says

    December 7, 2011 at 7:03 pm

    I’m a follower 🙂

  24. Bree says

    December 7, 2011 at 7:42 pm

    This sounds like an awesome chick book!

  25. Bree says

    December 7, 2011 at 7:42 pm

    gfc follower

  26. Bree says

    December 7, 2011 at 7:43 pm

    tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/freebreeluv/status/144607780614049792

  27. Linda Kish says

    December 7, 2011 at 8:02 pm

    I would love to win a copy of this book.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  28. Linda Kish says

    December 7, 2011 at 8:02 pm

    I am a GFC follower

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  29. Na S. says

    December 7, 2011 at 10:44 pm

    This sounds like an all-around fun read.

  30. Na S. says

    December 7, 2011 at 10:44 pm

    I am a GFC follower.

  31. jennygirl says

    December 9, 2011 at 10:02 am

    Normally I wouldn’t be interested in something like this, but the excerpt is hilarious!
    jennygirl73[at]gmail[dot]com

  32. jennygirl says

    December 9, 2011 at 10:03 am

    +2 Long time follower 🙂

  33. Heather J. @ TLC Book Tours says

    December 10, 2011 at 9:43 am

    Thanks for featuring Anna of your blog!

  34. CassandraG says

    December 12, 2011 at 11:53 am

    gfc follower.
    This post was hilarious.
    divavixenqueen(at)gmail(dot)com

  35. Liz V. says

    December 14, 2011 at 11:42 am

    What a delightful sounding book to share with friends, also of a certain age.

  36. Patricia says

    December 16, 2011 at 8:20 pm

    This sounds like a very funny book! Count me in, please.

  37. Patricia says

    December 16, 2011 at 8:21 pm

    I follow via GFC.

  38. Patricia says

    December 16, 2011 at 8:34 pm

    Tweeted:

    https://twitter.com/#!/CapitalismRox/status/147882106490593280

  39. Janet says

    December 18, 2011 at 7:55 pm

    This sound like a great read and a good one to share with friends!

    I also follow on Google Reader.

    5678dancer at gmail dot com

  40. LilMissMolly says

    December 23, 2011 at 9:32 pm

    Sounds like a fun read!
    lvsgund at gmail.com

  41. Nancye Davis says

    December 30, 2011 at 9:35 pm

    Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance.

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

  42. Nancye Davis says

    December 30, 2011 at 9:37 pm

    I am a Follower

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
    #1

  43. Nancye Davis says

    December 30, 2011 at 9:37 pm

    I am a Follower

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
    #2

  44. Nancye Davis says

    December 30, 2011 at 9:39 pm

    I Tweeted!
    @NancyeDavis

    https://twitter.com/#!/NancyeDavis/status/152970563105730560

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
    #1

  45. Nancye Davis says

    December 30, 2011 at 9:40 pm

    I Tweeted!
    @NancyeDavis

    https://twitter.com/#!/NancyeDavis/status/152970563105730560

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
    #2

  46. Nancye Davis says

    December 30, 2011 at 9:41 pm

    I Tweeted!
    @NancyeDavis

    https://twitter.com/#!/NancyeDavis/status/152970563105730560

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
    #3

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