Speaking American is a fast, fun look at the regional differences in the dialects of American English, examining both the differences in words and phrases to describe the same object or idea (such as hoagie, sub, hero or grinder) or distinct variations in pronunciation (like DAYT-uh or DAT-uh).

For even the most casual of linguists, this colorful coffee-table volume is an enjoyable read. Josh Katz has extensively researched his topic, and the book is a fascinating exploration of variations in the American vernacular.

Have you ever wondered why some people say "soda" and others say "pop"? Katz has the answer. Where do people pronounce "caramel" as two syllables and where do they pronounce it as three? Katz will show you. Should you mow the lawn or cut the grass? It depends where you live. And are those lightning bugs or fireflies? You get the picture.

Katz also provides tips on how to sound like a native in various regions, whether you're from Philadelphia or Pittsburgh, New York or Boston, California or Alaska.

It's not perfect. Some of the maps, in particular, are hard to decipher when figuring out who says what where. But it's a minor complaint, and it takes little away from the overall success of this book.

So if you prefer woodchuck or groundhog, crayfish or crawdad, traffic circle, roundabout or rotary, Speaking American will give you a clue why you say it the way you do.