A new twist on Jane Austen

Do you like classic English literature?

Do you like tales of the walking dead? Then you'll LOVE Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Strange as it seems, this IS a real book. Author Seth Grahame-Smith has taken Jane Austen's original tale of manners and Marriage and simply inserted scenes of zombie carnage. Can it work? It remains to be seen,but this could be the start of a whole new genre.
A Tale of Two Vampires?
Much Ado about Werewolves?

Anew twist on Aus

Do you bite your thumb at me, sir?

Some interesting background on the actions if the servants in Act1 Scene 1 of Romeo and Juliet.

Sampson : I will bite my thumb at them; which is a disgrace to them, if they do bear it.

Abram : Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?

Sampson : I do bite my thumb, sir.

Abram: Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?

Sampson (aside to Gregory): Is the law on our side if I say ay?

Gregory (aside to Sampson): No.

Sampson: I do not bite my thumb at you, sir; but I do bite my thumb, sir.

An interesting article on Body Language and Swearing [warning: contains some offensive language]tells us that biting your thumb was a rude and offensive gesture in Elizabethan times, similar to sticking two fingers up at someone now. It was closely linked to "giving the fig", which is where our expression of "not giving a fig" for something comes from.

This link here will tell you about NON VERBAL communication in other countries. It is written from a US perspective. Here is what they say about England:


1. To signal a waiter for the bill, make a motion with both hands of signing your name on a paper. Privacy is very important; do not stare. Tipping at bars is rare.
2. Loud behavior is considered rude. The victory sign with your palm facing in is considered vulgar.
3. Never cut in line.

This link discusses common gestures in the USA and says how they differ in meaning across the globe. For example:

1. Beckon with index finger. This means “Come here” in the U.S. To motion with the index finger to call someone is insulting, or even obscene, in many cultures. Expect a reaction when you beckon to a student from the Middle or Far East; Portugal, Spain, Latin America, Japan, Indonesia and Hong Kong. It is more acceptable to beckon with the palm down, with fingers or whole hand waving.

2. Point at something in the room using index finger. It is impolite to point with the index finger in the Middle and Far East. Use an open hand or your thumb (in Indonesia)

3. Make a "V" sign. This means "Victory" in most of Europe when you make this sign with your palm facing away from you. If you face your palm in, the same gesture means "Shove it."