Don't call Dita Von Teese a stripper, if you please! Her book, Burlesque and the Art of the Teese suggests more appropriate names like peeler, stripteuse, stripteaser, showgirl, burlesquer or slinger to name but a few.

It's likely you first heard the name of this pristine beauty when she married this man (she recently filed for divorce). But make no mistake, her current stature as a leading effeuilleuse (more slang) is credited to her alone. Her provocative book is much more than just a mainstream introduction into the art of burlesque. Rather, Teese creates a portfolio of photographs that pay homage to her craft.

The first half of the book entitled "Burlesque" sees Teese in glossier, pin-up style photographs. She divulges personal factoids about herself, like her favourite beverage (the classic champagne cocktail) and her love for authentic French cuisine. Flip the book and see a darker side of Teese in "Fetish" where we learn the must-have items every vixen should own. This section of the book also covers corsets, an essential garmet every Burly-Q Queen (even more slang) must own. Teese can cinch her 22-inch waist into an impressive 16.5 inches and has scars on her back to prove it (the record is Ethel Granger at 13-inches, a contortionist after my own heart).

To help you brush up on your vintage burlesque vocabulary, here's a quick list of terms to get you started.

Bit = skit between burlesque acts
Bluenose = police
Boston version = cleaned up version of a show
Jerks = the audience
Quiver = the shake of the bosom
Sunday school version = the cops are in the house!
Trailer = the strut before the strip
Cacky = smutty
Five percenter = artist's representative

For more information on where to buy the book, click here. Pasties sold separately.