Countdown Susie lost for words
COUNTDOWN’S Susie Dent has revealed her new book Word Perfect is far from it after the first edition was accidentally sent to the printers littered with spelling and grammar mistakes.
Susie, who has appeared in “dictionary corner” on Channel 4’ s Countdown every year since 1992, discovered the errors yesterday after the book was published.
Taking to Twitter, the lexicographer said: “Thank you to everyone for supporting my book.
“I’ve just discovered that the initial printing used a pre- edited text. I’m so sorry about this. I’ll be in touch as soon as I can with details on how we’re going to fix it.
Susie, 55, later said she could testify “to the effectiveness of lalochezia” – the use of swearing to alleviate stress and frustration.
Authors and fans were quick to comfort the star by sharing their own tales of misprints. Thanking one author for support, she said she was reading the responses from “under the duvet”.
A fan who received the book yesterday said: “Mine has literally arrived this minute, going to be such a joy, whichever text. Come out from under the duvet for the deserved plaudits!”
Another Twitter user wrote: “I’ll treat it as a kind of ‘ special’ limited edition! Same as errors in notes and coins are much sought after!”
Responding to one user, the author explained how some of the errors came about.
The etymologist said many creep in during typesetting – when text and images are arranged on a page.
But Susie admitted: “I am far from infallible too.”
In a statement, her publisher John Murray Press said: “We’re very sorry that, due to a printing error, early copies of Word Perfect are not word perfect. We’re taking urgent steps to recall these copies, reprint and resolve this swiftly.”
The book has been described as Susie’s “brilliant linguistic almanac”. New copies of Word Perfect: Etymological Entertainment For Every Day of the Year will be available from Monday priced £ 14.99.
However, readers might want to keep hold of their current version.
A hardback first edition of Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone containing several typos sold for £ 50,000 this week.