'Sparky and very funny... At last, the definitive guide to football phraseology across the world...'
Paul Hayward, five-time Sports Journalists’ Association Writer of the Year
A new edition of a fascinating round-the-world exploration of the weird and wonderful language of football, with new entertaining entries and a foreword by renowned Dutch midfielder (and polyglot) Clarence Seedorf.
To speak football is to speak a language of a thousand tongues…
In this new and revised global glossary of football words and phrases, 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 ‘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.