Potty, Fartwell & Knob: From Luke Warm to Potty Badger, by Russell Ash

This collection of "extraordinary but true" and deeply unfortunate names from all over Britain is the kind of thing that we should have stopped finding funny by the age of eight.

But, as the author knows, most of us haven't. Researched with academic thoroughness, it includes monikers such as Nancy Boys (b. 1842), Jack Ulate (b.1835), Amelia Anne Spurting (b.1845), Pete Moss (b. 1679), Al Dente (b. 1900), Tom Ayto (b. 1808 and the adorable T. Towel (married 1783). There are six and a half pages devoted to Fannies and a good 10 pages on Willies

and Dicks, including Dick Trickle (b. 1781) Dick Rash (b. 1872), Nora Dick (b. 1898) and Dick Sprinkles (b. 1804). The best place for this book is in the lavatory.