The Meaning of Liff

phoenix -like them-always thought Cullompton was a funny-sounding word.I'll send the Ashburton one to my friend who lives near there.
Her father was co-author of '1066 and all that' I think he would have enjoyed 'The Mystery of Liff'

Oh sorry, went boring supermarket shopping, but back now.

My suggestions were:

Cullompton The noise made by someone attempting to run in wellington boots that are at least 3 sizes too big.

Ashburton A person who lights a cigarette and doesn't look for an ashtray until the ash has reached quite a prodigious length, requiring the smoker to scuttle around looking anxious with one hand cupped beneath their cigarette.

phoenix please tell us what they were.

I submitted 2 new definitions to the programme, but neither of them were used though

I have been a great fan of Douglas Adams since the Hitchikers Guide radio programme! whoops showing my age!

Yes it is an old book --hence the programme on Radio 4 yesterday

'This year marks the 30th anniversary of the publication of The Meaning of Liff, by John Lloyd and Douglas Adams. This funny and well-loved dictionary uses placenames as new definitions for common experiences which we all know...'

Douglas Adams died in 2001.I've always been a fan and I know my DS and SIL will also love the book .

Love it, have had it for years, and the second one "The Deeper Meaning of Liff" !

Well...I meant it wasn't a new book!

Old!?!? 1983!?!?

Blimey. No hope for me then. That's younger than my two elder daughters.

You can "Look inside" on Amazon.

I wish I remembered to listen to the radio.

Had a quick look on Amazon - it's a very old book - 1983. Hadn't heard of it before, though.