Mattress-Ide and Other Grammatical Atrocities: One Good Pun Deserves an Utter

David M. Kelly is a teaching assistant at Brock University in St.
Catharines.

The ignoble pun, the bane of classical comedy writers, has long been
despised as the lowest form of humor—but that didn’t stop Terry
Morrison from writing an entire volume based on it.

This is a collection of short stories whose conclusions are based on a
colorful play on words. As a whole, the stories are witty, sometimes
clever, and pleasantly entertaining. While the book is unlikely to
promote uproarious laughter, most readers will appreciate its
lighthearted punning.

The appendix, in which Morrison attempts to explain certain common
expressions via “humorous” histories, does not amuse. Happily, the
appendix is brief and does not diminish the fact that Mattress-Ide will
make a delightful gift for one’s more playful acquaintances.