Things you didn't know about France: you burnt Joan of Arc!; smuggling live chickens into rugby matches is patriotic; how many times to kiss on the cheek; where not to cross the road; French guns don't go 'bang'; what do you call a party? bon appetit is vulgar; a six-pack is a bar of chocolate; the dangers of being called Peter or Penny; your smallest finger is your 'ear' finger; the importance of Wednesdays; how to tip and when to celebrate Christmas? Forget the French you learnt at school. Based on twenty years of hard-won knowledge, "Pardon My French" takes you through all the words you need to survive, shows how and why they work, and steers you past all the pitfalls and potential embarrassments of speaking French in France.From sugar-cube etiquette to why the Marseillaise is all about slaughtering Austrians and Prussians as bloodily as possible, Charles Timoney lays bare the Gallic mindset alongside their bizarre language. Covering all areas of everyday life from eating and drinking to travel, work and, crucially, swearing and sounding like a teenager, this is not just the most entertaining, but also the most useful book on France and the French you'll ever read.
Pardon My French: Unleash Your Inner Gaul
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'So good...the book describes the French real French people speak, as opposed to the French you're taught in school. It also, delicately and amusingly, looks at the pscychology of the French. Some French words are just false friends. A 'gateaux' is a rather dull biscuit, not an elaborate cake. 'Creme anglaise' is not cream, but custard. If you photograph a French person, you don't ask them to say 'cheese' and certainly not 'fromage'; instead they sy 'ouistiti', which, weirdly, means a marmoset. The word 'verge' is French for the male organ, which delights the few French travellers here when they see a road sign: 'soft verges'.'
-- Guardian
'The hilarious survival guide to French: from ordering a steak without getting sneered at to how exactly to say oh la la this is not just the most entertaining, but also the most useful book on France and the French you'll ever read.'
-- Living France
-- Guardian
'The hilarious survival guide to French: from ordering a steak without getting sneered at to how exactly to say oh la la this is not just the most entertaining, but also the most useful book on France and the French you'll ever read.'
-- Living France
Review
'The hilarious survival guide to French: from ordering a steak without getting sneered at to how exactly to say oh la la this is not just the most entertaining, but also the most useful book on France and the French you'll ever read.'
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
48 of 48 people found the following review helpful
By Andrew Kay
Format:Paperback
This is definitely a Very Useful Book if you're planning to come to France, be it as a new resident or just for a holiday. Moreover it's highly entertaining as well. Don't worry if your spoken French isn't too good, this is not a dry textbook to improve it. Instead the author has compiled a list of words relating to some of the more incongruous, incomprehensible, or downright ennervating aspects of this country and goes on to explain not just what they mean but also what they might imply for the unwary.
The result is not only informative and educational, but also manages to be a very good read at the same time. If France were a desert island this is maybe the one book you'd have to take with you...
The result is not only informative and educational, but also manages to be a very good read at the same time. If France were a desert island this is maybe the one book you'd have to take with you...
25 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a highly entertaining book, and is essential reading for anyone who wishes to get beyond the idea that Brits working or holidaying abroad will get by by speaking their English louder and slower! When, and when not, to use the words "baiser" or "impossible", the meaning of back-slang, how to organise the numerous public holidays that employees are awarded, what university you simply have to go to... One is almost becoming sympathetic towards the French when they are faced with idiomatic English. But that would never do! Well done to Mr Timoney on providing this guide to modern French "as she is spoke".
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
What an excellent read! I can highly recommend this for anyone about to venture to France for their vacation or even to live there. Extremely humorous with a very light touch, this warm-hearted, affectionate read is the perfect antidote for those who've had enough of the bile generated by the Francophobic tabloid press.
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4.3 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful Book
What a great book! Humourous, educational (in a real way, for real people, in real situations!). Anyone thinking of spending some time in France would find this invaluable.
Published 1 month ago by Mrs. C. H. O'reilly
4.0 out of 5 stars
Entertaining
This is an entertaining book. It teaches you less french than you may hope to learn from it, but it will entertain you all the same. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Anthony Lauder
5.0 out of 5 stars
Product review
Bought for someone who has just purchased a home in France. Arrived promptly and well packaged - good value for money.
Published 2 months ago by Mrs. Sharon P. Butt
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant
Highly recommended to those who are interested in learning more about the French language and culture in a fun and informal way. The writer has the right sense of British humour!
Published 3 months ago by Posh
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good book, Bad editing
Although the content is entertaining and quite relevant to vacationing and living in France it is spoilt in many cases by poor editing after the text has been "kindelized". Read more
Published 12 months ago by Peter L. Clarke
4.0 out of 5 stars
Plus d'Entente Cordiale
Classified by topical subject and listed alphabetically from "a" for "apéro", this slightly tongue-in-cheek guide sheds light on the expressions in common use which you... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Antenna
5.0 out of 5 stars
oui
I thoroughly enjoyed this. It used an introduction to French slang words (equivalent to English 'bloke' etc) and acronyms to illustrate differences between British and French life... Read more
Published on 23 Sep 2010 by didi
3.0 out of 5 stars
it's okay, but not that interesting
Basically, this is a book with a few useful phrases and a lot of anecdotes which I personally didn't find very interesting. Read more
Published on 6 Mar 2010 by Ms. Billygoatgruff
5.0 out of 5 stars
Unputdownable
I'm about to pass this around our French further studies class - it's a gem. Very funny and it's absolutely true that if you use the phrases within when in France you will appear... Read more
Published on 28 Dec 2009 by Paul Townend
3.0 out of 5 stars
Could have been much better
This has some interesting nuggets, but as other reviewers have mentioned it's quite insubstantial. What doesn't seem to have been mentioned is the mean-spirited tone of the book,... Read more
Published on 26 Oct 2009 by A Reader
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