Harrap Rude French : An Alternative French Phrasebook

by Georges Pilard

This is an alternative French phrasebook that takes an entertaining romp through the world of French slang. It contains slang words and phrases covering 15 different themes from shopping to sex and travel to the police; illustrations and explanations of typically French gestures such as the Gallic shrug and the bras d'honneur; a short history of "argot" (slang), and a look at argot in French literature; and French jokes and spoonerisms, from the corny to the crude.

120 pages, Paperback

First published February 4, 2002

Reviews

[DelphicGray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mostly hilarious, insulting, vulgar and crude - exactly what it claims to be. I especially enjoyed the section on French argot and its changes, and argot in literature. Although the spoonerisms and puns are explained clearly, I would recommend this book mostly for those with an already at least intermediate level/working knowledge of the French language.