Do You Speak Football?

'Sparky and very funny... At last, the definitive guide to football phraseology across the world...' Paul Hayward, Daily Telegraph 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 spiders nest' in Spain, 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 legendary '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 Indonesian players fancy a 'turun minum' and why Dundee United supporters should keep their heads down in Nigeria. With 750 terms from 88 countries (including 29 ways to describe a nutmeg), this is the definitive guide to the global language of football.

Tom Williams

Foreword by Clarence Seedorf Introduction South America Putting it on a Plate - Where Football Meets Food North and Central America Near Unstoppable - Top Corner Terminology Europe Between the Legs - Nutmeg Names Africa Dodgy Keepers - A Glossary of Gaffes Asia Natural Talent - Expressions Inspired by the Animal Kingdom Australasia Acknowledgements Index