Secret Language: Codes, Tricks, Spies, Thieves, and Symbols
Language: English
Published by Oxford University Press, 2010
- Hardcover
- Used
Seller: Book Grocer, Tullamarine, VIC, AustraliaBook Grocer
AbeBooks seller since October 15, 2025
Condition: Used
£ 6.49
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
Barry J. Blake, Oxford University Press. This book is about language designed to mean what it does not seem to mean. Ciphers and codes conceal messages and protect secrets. Symbol and magic hide meanings to imperil or delight. Languages made to baffle and confuse let insiders talk openly without being understood by those beyond the circle. Barry Blake looks in depth at these and many more. He explores the history and uses of the slangs and argots of schools and trades. He traces the histories of centuries-old cants such as those used by sailors and criminals, among them polari, the mix of Italian, Yiddish, and slang spoken once among strolling players and circus folk and then taken up by groups in London. He examines the sacred languages of ancient cults and religions, uncovers the workings of onomancy, spells, and gematria, considers the obliqueness of allusion and parody, and celebrates the absurdities of euphemism and jargon. Secret Language takes the reader on fascinating excursions down obscure byways of language, ranging across time and culture. With revelations on every page it will entertain everyone with an urge to know more about the most arcane and curious uses of language.…
Seller Inventory # 9780199579280-SECONDHAND
- Title
- Secret Language: Codes, Tricks, Spies, Thieves, and Symbols
- Author
- Barry J. Blake
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Publication year
- 2010
- Book Type
- Hardback
- Binding
- Hardback
- Language
- English
- ISBN 10
- 0199579288
- ISBN 13
- 9780199579280
- Item weight
- 469 grams
- Dimensions
- 137
Secret Language takes the reader on fascinating excursions down obscure byways of language, ranging across time and culture. With revelations on every page it will entertain everyone with an urge to know more about the most arcane and curious uses of language.
"Synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
Barry J. Blake is Emeritus Professor of Linguistics at La Trobe University. His books includePlaying with Words and All About Language.
"About the title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Book Grocer
Tullamarine, VIC, Australia
AbeBooks seller since October 15, 2025
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Castlebooks Pty Ltd
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Tullamarine, VIC Australia 3043
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