Essential Foreign Insults

by Emma Burgess

Have you ever struggled to find the French for "so you want to fight, big nose?" Ever had the urge to tell a German to hide their face before you vomit? Or inform an Italian that their beer tastes of piss? You'll never be lost for words again with this book, which will ensure that you always have the Arabic for "kiss my arse" and the Swedish for "nob cheese" at your fingertips.

Genres: Humor

128 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2003

Reviews

[Steve Mitchell]

I made the mistake of buying this book unseen when it was recommended to me by Amazon.co.uk when I bought something I actually wanted. I was hoping for something that would explain things like ‘fanny’ and ‘fag’ in America do not mean the same as here in the UK, for instance. Possibly a description of hand gestures that you or I would find completely innocent, but abroad would lead to us getting a severe kicking: the sort of things that a traveller to a foreign land could find useful so as to avoid committing a faux pas. Instead, this book is a straightforward phrasebook translating insulting English words and phrases simultaneously into French, German, Italian and Spanish. Some of the phrases on offer are bordering on funny (It smells like I’ve got some shit stuck to my shoe - yes, it’s your country) but unless you plan on deliberately offending the natives the next time that you are on the continent, my advice is to save your money and spend it on a decent pint of beer.

[Shahrun · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this so funny. I'm a frequent traveller who speaks English, basic school girl German and a few basic essentials in other languages, but I doubt very much I'd ever dare try any of these out - tempting though it might be. The range and depth of some insults are so brilliantly random! A great gift for some one with a big sense of humour who loves languages.

[Merary · Rating 2 out of 5]

It only translates. Spanish version was funny, though.