Customer Reviews

International Dictionary of Obscenities: A Guide to Dirty Words and Indecent Expressions in Spanish, Italian, French, German and Russian

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

One thing I learned is this: don't practice these Spanish tasties with strangers in Mexico. I found out two things: they weren't amused and the dictionary was accurate. Some of the religious references were so rough I thought I'd be struck by lightning just for practicing them to myself. It is titled a dictionary of obsenities and that it is.

A small dictionary, but there are those who love it. The IDO explains -- in English that is, to say the least, not shy -- all the filthiest language from Spanish, Italian, French, German and Russian. It is sort of unsettling to see all these curses and dirty words in a sterile dictionary column. Once you get past that initial weirdness, though, the dictionary will be a shameless joy to thumb through. It is true that insults and foul words are the funniest parts of a language, so if for nothing else you should look into this book as a humor piece.

The book is very crude and to the point, but that is what obscenities are in any language. If you really want to know what the tourists are saying or you plan on spending any amount of time where any of the subject languages are spoken, this book is a "must have."

I beg to disagree with VikesFan34. I've owned this book for 12 years and am consistently amused by the colorful phrases in 5 languages. I've always found it to be good for a laugh, as well as quite useful when traveling, and I can recommend it unreservedly.

most people are fooled by the name,, ha ha ha . New cover I see!

I really like this book, but at the end of each language chapter was left wanting more. It's a fun adult coffee table book when not in use on travels.

Got this as a gift many years ago and still refer to it now and again. Truly amazing to see how other languages treat potty mouth expressions. The English descriptions are often so odd, ou might wonder how insulting they actually are, but as mentioned in another review, they work. I would of course suggest you just enjoy the read and nt practice these on your co-workers, friends and relatives as you may end up with the book stuffed somewhere where you may not wish to retrieve it. But, definitely pick up the book.

This book is excellent for table top enjoyment. I leave it on my table in my room and everyone always picks it up for a look. Its a good conversation piece/starter. A must have.

This book is an amazingly scholarly work on an amazingly unusual subject. It actually is what it purports to be, with a fine attention to detail; and is arranged in such a way that it is not only highly amusing but could honestly be used in serious translational work.

But, also, it's a lot of fun. <g> I seriously recommend this for both "serious" libraries and for someone who would like a bit of spice in their reading.

I bought this book thinking that it would merely be swear words and that I would get a kick out of it. It turned out to be a bit more risque than I had believed. It contained many sexual words and words for genitalia. I would not recommend this for anyone who has a sense of morality