Wicked French/for the Traveler

by Howard Tomb

Any French language guide can teach you a simple phrase like J'ai faim! ("I'm starving!") But only Wicked French will give you the edge on a snooty Parisian Garcon! N'avez-vous pas de glacons pour le vin? ("Boy! Don't you have any ice cubes for the wine?")

While humiliated tourists mispronounce "This wine is good" (Ce vin est bon), you'll handle the French impressively with expressions like "The Haut-Medoc tries to tickle but pinches instead." (Ce Haut-Medoc essaye de chatouiller mais il pince.) Make new friends by knowing the only compliment a Frenchman wants to Vous etes les gens les plus intelligents du monde. (You are the most intelligent people on earth.") With quick-to-find practical tips throughout, Wicked French gives even the first-time visitor the confidence to keep his nose held high. 

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, Humor, France, Language

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 9, 1989

Reviews

[Benoitcesoir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious read, with some helpful cultural things to note, but some of the phrases or expressions will either get you a laugh or into a fight. Be careful! 😅

[Carolina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've re-read this many times for fun!

[Ted Manahan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not very useful, but entertaining.

[kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

"When insulting a person, use the formal tu rather than the formal vous. This implies condescension, which the French invented."

He also has a perfect description of how to pronounce the vowel ÿ. "Making the sound requires holding the lips out in an O shape, imitating the look of interest sometimes seen on the faces of chimpanzees, while making the sound "eee."

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wicked French by Howard Tomb (1989)

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can you not love a book that teaches you how to say "Do you have a porcupine stuffed between your butt cheeks?" en français? Merveilleux!