skoob
(skuːb)
[Reversal of books: not in general use (see quots.).]
A pile of books assembled in order to be destroyed as a gesture against the proliferation and undue veneration of the printed word (see quot. 1967); the ceremonial burning of a book or books.
| 1963 Guardian 14 Feb. 6/5 The Skoob Image—the mangled books. 1966 Archit. Rev. Dec. 441/2 A skoob tower by John Latham—a construction of art books destined to be detonated. 1967 Listener 18 May 654/3 Latham's earlier works were assemblages of torn and paint-covered books... His ‘skoob’ (books spelt backwards) are a cathartic topsy-turvying of the natural reaction of horror at the destruction of the printed word. 1968 Guardian 14 Sept. 3/3 Mr. Stone said it was the first time that a ‘skoob’, the burning of a book, had taken place in Kensington Church Walk. |