From Amourette to Zal: Bizarre and Beautiful Words from Europe

by Alex Rawlings

For all the richness and nuance of the English language there are some words that other languages simply do better—whether it's an insult that just hits the spot, a phrase that beautifully articulates a feeling, or a word that you didn't know you even needed. From the funny to the sentimental to the downright bizarre this fascinating journey around Europe in 12 languages unearths the best untranslatable words that English is missing, celebrating our cultural similarities and differences along the way. Ever waited 15 minutes for a parking space only for someone to cut in front of you, smirking as they park up and stroll past? That idiot has a Backpfeifengesicht—a face badly in need of a slap. Or perhaps you yearn for silence—which never comes—because you're hanging out with a pochemuchka—a person who asks too many questions.

Genres: Nonfiction, Language

193 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 3, 2018

Reviews

[Cassie]

A pretty nice book to read.
One thing I do not get though is why they ended the book with the passage on the IPA at the very end and not at the very start? It would have made way more sense to write all of the foreign words in the IPA, instead of that anglicized transcription

[Rob de W]

I find language-specific words really interesting as it can give a better insight into certain cultures.

Not only that, but now I can smugly drop untranslatable words into conversation to give myself an inflated sense of self importance.

[Caro Robson]

A fun and fascinating guide!

[Olivia Nevins]

The definition of "matraquage fiscal" makes me crease