Author: Williams, Tom

Language: history & general works

Published on 15 February 2024 by Bloomsbury Publishing PLC (Bloomsbury Sport) in the United Kingdom.

Hardback | 288 pages, Integrated black and white illustrations
138 x 210 x 25 | 326g

'At last, the definitive guide to football phraseology across the world... Sparky and very funny' – Paul Hayward'Amusing and informative in equal measure' – Oliver Kay, The Athletic ‘A wonderful, endlessly delightful book’ – When Saturday ComesA 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.

‘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 ‘A reminder that there are few better means of celebrating both our differences and similarities than the game of football’ ? The Guardian‘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‘Funny, informative and truly global’ ? 11Freunde