Do You Speak Football? Synopsis
A new edition of an expertly compiled and utterly fascinating compendium of the weird and wonderful words and phrases used to describe football around the world.
In this revised glossary of football words and phrases, discover the rich, quirky and joyously creative global language used by fans, commentators and players.
From placing a shot 'where the owl sleeps' in Brazil, to what it means to use your 'chocolate leg' in the Netherlands, via 'Anglican' – a phrase adopted by Czechs to describe a disputed goal – and the now ubiquitous 'it's coming home', this comprehensively researched book entertains and informs in equal measure.
Discover why a 'café crème' is more than a classic bistro order, what it means when an Indian coach uses his 'brain weapon' and why Dundee United supporters should keep their heads down in Nigeria.
With over 750 terms from 89 countries (including 29 ways to describe a nutmeg), this is the definitive guide to the global language of football.
About This Edition
| ISBN: |
9781399410212 |
| Publication date: |
15th February 2024 |
| Author: |
Tom Williams |
| Publisher: |
Bloomsbury Sport an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing PLC |
| Format: |
Hardback |
| Pagination: |
288 pages |
| Primary Genre |
Sports
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| Other Genres: |
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Tom Williams Press Reviews
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
Sparky and very funny... At last, the definitive guide to football phraseology across the world. The richness of the game's language shines through in this addictive glossary. -- Paul Hayward - Five-time Sports Journalists’ Association Writer of the Year
Amusing and informative in equal measure. Who knew Dundee United commanded such disdain in Nigeria? -- Oliver Kay, The Athletic 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 Ein super Buch! -- Raphael Honigstein, The Athletic 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
By reading this book, you will discover the complexity, the colour and the power of football’s global language. - Clarence Seedorf
A reminder that there are few better means of celebrating both our differences and similarities than the game of football. - The Guardian
About Tom Williams
Tom Williams was a curator of the major international British Museum exhibition Vikings: Life and Legend, which was the subject of extensive national and international media coverage in 2014. He has been widely quoted in the press and has appeared on BBC TV, ITV and on BBC radio. He appeared at the Hay Festival and Bath Children's Literary Festival in 2014 and is currently engaged in research/finishing his PhD at University College London. He teaches History and Archaeology at Cambridge. He is the author and editor of a number of academic and magazine articles and collections.
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