The Meaning of Tingo: And Other Extraordinary Words from Around the World - Softcover

Boinod, Adam Jacot De

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0143038524 ISBN 13: 9780143038528

Publisher: Penguin Group USA, 2007

Synopsis

A whimsical linguistic tour of foreign words and phrases that do not have precise English-language equivalents includes such entries as the world's longest-known palindrome, the Dutch rendering of the sound of Rice Krispies cereal, and the Bolivian word that means, "I was rather too drunk last night and it's all their fault." Reprint. 40,000 first printing.

About this title

Review

'The Meaning of Tingo' may well prove to be the must-have British stocking-filler for 2005 -- The Economist, 24 September 2005

...a luscious list of linguistic one-liners -- Daily Express, 1 November, 2005

...a pleasure to dip in to. -- Sunday Telegraph, 2nd October 2005

...compulsively perusable -- The Times, 22 September 2005

...destined to be the Eats, Shoots and Leaves of the autumn. -- The Independent, 26th September 2005

A book no well-stocked bookshelf, cistern-top or handbag should be without. -- Stephen Fry

I liked the inventiveness of the Spanish curse "may all your turkey's feathers turn into razor blades" -- Steven Poole, The Guardian, 15th October, 2005

From the Author

Many English speakers admit to being lazy both at home and when travelling in their reliance on English as the pre-eminent international language and I feel that in this multi-cultural age we live in we should embrace the joy, glory and wonder of foreign words and expressions. English is unquestionably a great language but I suppose what I am saying is ³don¹t be surprised there are many others.²

Edition details

• Publisher: Penguin Group USA
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0143038524
• ISBN 13: 9780143038528
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 209