Wicked Italian for the Traveler (Wicked Series) (Italian Edition) (Paperback)

by Howard Tomb (Author) "The Italian frontier is fairly porous; innocent people entering the country may not even see an agente di dogana (customs agent)..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Wicked Italian is more than a phrasebook con molto brio -- it's a cultural survival guide. Put an end to taxi terror, unlock the riddle of museum hours. Forgetful innkeepers snap to when you threaten allora dormiamo nella lobby (" In that case we will sleep here in the lobby" ). 204,000 copies in print.

From the Back Cover
VERBAL SELF DEFENSE

"Vada via che sa di aglio."
Buzz off, garlic breath.

"Non mi tocchi."
Don't touch me.

"Fa schifo."
You're disgusting.

"Il sole siciliano le ha cotto il cervello."
The Sicilian sun has cooked your brain.

"Neanche se lei fosse l'unico umo sulla terra."
Not if you were the last man on earth.

"Me lasci in pace."
Leave me alone.

"Chiamo la polizia."
I'll call the police.


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Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Workman Publishing Company (January 9, 1989)
• Language: English, Italian
• ISBN-10: 0894806173
• ISBN-13: 978-0894806179
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 3.9 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #404,531 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Funny and Insightful, March 19, 2003

By	Chris Nearl "chris_nearl" (Idaho) - See all my reviews

This laugh-out-loud booklet opens wide a window on modern Italian culture. Step on in and take a gander. Never mind that you will never remember the right phrase at the right time during your visit to Italy; at least you will be traveling with the right attitude.

Harold Tomb writes with Dave Barry-esque wit. If you have a sense of humor and even a passing interest in Italy, then "Wicked Italian" is for you.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Amusing, yet not terribly useful, March 9, 2002

By	Erin K. Darling "naive cynic" (olympia, wa) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This tiny little phrasebook is a funny read, but its practical applications are, um, limited, unless you really want to say things like "I'd like some pasta of the slut." For folks who've been to Italy, I'd imagine it's even more amusing than it is for us who haven't been over the pond.

There are a few useful items within, such as the names of important medicines and whatnot, but overall, this is just a book for fun. If you're really looking to pick up A Real Phrasebook, be sure to grab something else besides this one, and perhaps keep this one in your pocket (it's *really* tiny!) for when you feel like freaking out your cab driver or some such.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Così-così, February 16, 2000

By A Customer

The book provides an entertaining snapshot of Italian culture and is worth the five bucks. But, if you are looking for some good slang, Wicked Italian only scratches the surface. Some translations don't quite match up, and some expressions aren't correct.