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A Miscellany of Secret Languages
by Ben Schott
From the author of the international bestseller Schott's Original Miscellany comes a visually rich book that breaks down the colorful language and systems of signs that make up the vocabulary of our world.
Here is an obsessive and fascinating look at the systems of language and knowledge that surrounds us. Ben Schott breaks down the lingo, slang, and jargon found in dozens of fascinating professions, events, and subcultures—from the insider language used in casino gambling to the NYC diamond district and professional sommeliers to London cabbies.
For those who love language and wish to gain access to rarified worlds, this book is an elegant and smart look at so much hiding in plain sight around us. With its gorgeously erudite and detailed design, full-color photos throughout, and thoroughly researched survey of lingo and culture, Schott's Significa will change how you see the world.
"An engrossing compendium for word nerds and armchair sociologists alike." —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"A fascinating and humorous compendium of unique vocabularies... . This is perfectly designed for browsing, but readers will find themselves compulsively reading just one more chapter." ―Booklist
"You will be astounded at how many times per page you'll exclaim, 'I didn't know that!' as you encounter marvelous fact after marvelous fact after marvelous fact, all of it presented with the irresistible delight of secrets revealed. I'm sure you'll be dipping into it over and over." —Benjamin Dreyer, New York Times bestselling author of Dreyer's English
"Tumble from one subculture to another, immerse yourself in the private code of each, delight in Ben Schott's ingenious translation and, as you turn the elegantly designed pages, you'll just watch your world get bigger. Rabbit holes are rarely this satisfying." —Adam Moss, author of The Work of Art: How Something Comes from Nothing
This information about Schott's Significa was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Ben Schott is the creator and designer of the international bestseller Schott's Original Miscellany and its three sequels. He subsequently published a series of Miscellanies and Almanacs and the book Schottenfreude, which have sold 2.5 million copies in 21 languages (including Braille). Ben has written for The Times, The Telegraph, The New York Times, The Spectator, The Guardian, Private Eye, Reader's Digest, The Paris Review, Bloomberg Opinion, Bon Appétit, Portfolio, and Playboy. In 2015 he won the James Beard award for humo(u)r, and in 2004 he won a D&AD Pencil for Creative Excellence.
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