Do You Speak Football?: A Glossary of Football Words and Phrases from Around the World

by Tom Williams

Overview

'At last, the definitive guide to football phraseology across the world... Sparky and very funny.'

Paul Hayward, Daily Telegraph

''Amusing and informative in equal measure.'

Oliver Kay, The Times

An expertly compiled and utterly fascinating compendium of the weird and wonderful words and phrases used to describe football around the world.

To speak football is to speak a language of a thousand tongues…

In this ground-breaking global glossary of football words and phrases, you'll discover the rich, quirky and joyously creative language used by fans, commentators and players across the world.

From placing a shot 'where the owl sleeps' in Brazil, to what it means to use your 'chocolate leg' in the Netherlands, via Wembley-Tor – a phrase adopted by Germans to describe a dubious goal – this comprehensively researched book will entertain and inform in equal measure.

Discover the unfortunate Finnish term for a holding midfielder, what it means when South Korean fans get nostalgic about a 'Leeds season' and why Dundee United supporters should keep their heads down in Nigeria.

With over 700 terms from 89 countries (including 29 ways to describe a nutmeg), this is the definitive guide to the global language of football.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781472947208
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	05/10/2018
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	272
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Tom Williams is a football writer and broadcaster who lives in London. Specialising in French and English football, he has had writing published by The Times, The Guardian, The Independent and The Athletic. He is the resident Premier League expert on the flagship French football programme Canal Football Club and a regular guest on the UK's leading football podcast, The Totally Football Show. He is the author of Do You Speak Football?. @tomwfootball

Table of Contents

Introduction

South America

Putting in on a Plate - Where Football Meets Food

North and Central America

Near Unstoppable - Top Corner Terminology

Europe

Between the Legs - Nutmeg Names

Africa

Dodgy Keepers - A Glossary of Gaffes

Asia

Natural Talent - Expressions Inspired by the Animal Kingdom

Australasia

Bibliography

Acknowledgements

Index

Editorial Reviews

At last, the definitive guide to football phraseology across the world. The richness of the game's language shines through in this addictive glossary. Sparky and very funny.” —Paul Hayward, Daily Telegraph

“Funny, erudite, rich in detail and endlessly readable. Perfect for anyone who thinks they already know about the language of football.” —Barney Ronay, The Guardian

“Amusing and informative in equal measure. Who knew Dundee United commanded such disdain in Nigeria?” —Oliver Kay, The Times

“Quirky, addictive, stuffed with anecdote, it's far more than a glossary… the writing is precise, light and often lovely. A treat.” —Jonathan Northcroft, Sunday Times

“A fascinating and necessary work.” —Jonathan Wilson, founder of The Blizzard and bestselling author of Inverting the Pyramid

“Ein super Buch!” —Raphael Honigstein, The Guardian and author of Das Reboot

“A wonderful, endlessly delightful book” —When Saturday Comes

“There are plenty of books about the language of football already, but surely not one like this: funny, informative and truly global.” —11Freunde

“Top Ten Xmas gift idea for the football fan in your life.” —AS

From the Publisher