Most people despise opening that huge, dust-covered encyclopedia for class to look up subjects like immigration or the life of Albert Einstein, while others see the reference book as just another tool to help them earn good grades. Either way, Ian Whitelaw's new "Encyclopedia of Annoying, Rude, and Unpleasant Behavior" might give every reader a new outlook on reference books.
With the goal of enlightening its audience, the "Habitus Disgustica" features many human vulgarities that have the potential to gross everyone out. This hilarious book is also filled with detailed diagrams, creative sayings and stunning facts to augment these common habits.
Topics such as scab picking and breaking wind are divided into six different sections including antisocial behavior, bodily functions, eating and drinking, poor personal hygiene, and chewing, biting, and picking. Many people would be surprised by how many of these supposedly gross habits they themselves have done and find comfort in the fact that they are not alone.
Everyone must admit that he has burped at an inappropriate moment or left the bathroom without washing her hands. These two examples are discussed in an unforgettable way in this comical book. Burping is a common way to expel a variety of gases out of the body. Although it feels wonderful to release that built-up pressure, it can be completely disgusting when done in a public place. The first section features a man named Paul Hunn who managed to burp at 118.1 decibels, the same loudness as an aircraft taking off.
The next section focuses on not washing your hands and shows many diagrams sure to make anyone cringe. The "failure to clean one's hands after performing an unhygienic act" can unfortunately be witnessed on a day-to-day basis. According to the book, a third of American adults do not wash their hands after going to the bathroom.
As the reference book continues, the horrible habits continue down the disgusting spectrum. Yet another portion pays special attention to digging for gold, or nose picking. The page begins with a grotesque definition of "inserting a finger (or other object) into the nose with the intention of removing dried nasal secretions." (Cringe. Everyone needs a moment to absorb that nauseating definition and erasing the image of a giant ball of snot.) After taking a deep breath, readers can continue down the page by labeling this activity with a "yuck factor" of four out of five. It also lists statistics that make everyone shiver. Some noteworthy figures include the 28.6 percent of people who dispose of a booger by throwing it on the ground and 8 percent who actually confess to eating the product of their picking. This vomit-worthy act actually has a scientific name of mucophagy, which literally means, "eating of boogers."
Although all of this information will make the reader giggle and shake his or her head, it also gives helpful advice and background information to fully understand the habit. For example, the nasty habit of squeezing a pimple is demonstrated in three diagrams. The last diagram shows pus oozing from the ripe zit on a person's face. While this is extremely repulsive, Whitelaw lists suggestions to help every reader decide the appropriate time to touch those sensitive spots. Another case can be seen in the section called "Rage and the Associated Gestures." Figures demonstrate these unruly gestures and where they originated. After showing the many examples, the encyclopedia proceeds by mentioning the importance of anger management and the problems people have associated with this today. Whitelaw ends by stating, "Just behave like a civilized human being and exercise a little self-control." For those daring enough to read on, there are other sections focusing on queue jumping, talking loudly on your cell phone and scratching that are bound to make you snicker.
Although the information learned from this book is more than anyone would ever want to know, the laughter created makes it completely worthwhile. Perhaps after even taking a glance inside, readers might think looking in an encyclopedia is not so bad after all.
Grade: 3 out of 5