Why would Germans accuse you of being like the donkey getting cross with a rabbit? Who would a Spaniard tell to go and fry asparagus? And when might the French claim they are without a radish?
Furthering your knowledge of the world's unusual idioms, Toujours Tingo will also explain how ordering 'lamb' in Ethiopia may see a cow delivered to your table, and how politicians in Sweden may be encouraged occasionally to g'ra en hel Pudel ('do a full poodle') with some humble apologising. Covering such wide-ranging linguistic necessities as arguing, raising children, working and dining out, and filling all those gaps that English leaves thoughtlessly unplugged, this book's charm would - for Russians at least - be eziku ponjatno (obvious even to a hedgehog).
About the Author
Adam Jacot de Boinod's interest in foreign languages was first piqued when doing research for the TV program QI, hosted by Stephen Fry, and subsequently developed into a full-blown obsession. While compiling this book, he read approximately 220 dictionaries, visited 150 Web sites, and perused numerous other books on language.
Description:
Why would Germans accuse you of being like the donkey getting cross with a rabbit? Who would a Spaniard tell to go and fry asparagus? And when might the French claim they are without a radish?
Furthering your knowledge of the world's unusual idioms, Toujours Tingo will also explain how ordering 'lamb' in Ethiopia may see a cow delivered to your table, and how politicians in Sweden may be encouraged occasionally to g'ra en hel Pudel ('do a full poodle') with some humble apologising. Covering such wide-ranging linguistic necessities as arguing, raising children, working and dining out, and filling all those gaps that English leaves thoughtlessly unplugged, this book's charm would - for Russians at least - be eziku ponjatno (obvious even to a hedgehog).
About the Author
Adam Jacot de Boinod's interest in foreign languages was first piqued when doing research for the TV program QI, hosted by Stephen Fry, and subsequently developed into a full-blown obsession. While compiling this book, he read approximately 220 dictionaries, visited 150 Web sites, and perused numerous other books on language.