Pogue’s Basics: Life

The Subliminal Mr Dunn wrote a post recommending David Pogue’s Pogue’s Basics: Life  (New York: Flatiron Books, 2015). The book’s title makes for the same awkwardness I encounter whenever I write about Bryan Garner’s Garner’s Modern American Usage . I bought a copy anyway.

Pogue’s book collects tips and shortcuts about cars, travel, food, clothes, and (as they say) much, much more. As with any such collection, some bits will seem obvious (to unlock all car doors, press the button on your electronic key twice, duh); others, not so much. Two tips (paraphrased) that, for me, have made the book worth buying:

To avoid being blinded by oncoming headlights on a two-lane road, look at the white line to your right. (It works.)

The order for setting cutlery is alphabetical: fork, knife, spoon. Fork to the left (four-letter words), knife and spoon to the right (five-letter words). Who knew it was that easy to remember? Not me.

Thanks, Barnaby.