Schottenfreude: German Words for the Human Condition

Author(s): BEN SCHOTT

Games & Amusements | Read our reviews! | Language

Ever thought, 'There should be a German word for that'? Well, now there is. From the mind that created Schott's Original Miscellany comes a unique volume exploring the idiosyncrasies of the human condition...auf Deutsch. In which language but German could you construct le mot juste for: a secret love of bad food, the inability to remember jokes, Sunday-afternoon depression, the urge to yawn, the glee of gossip, reassuring your hairdresser, delight at the changing of the seasons, the urge to hoard, or the ineffable pleasure of a cold pillow?

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THOMAS'S REVIEW:
German is full of wonderful compound words, so it is the obvious language with which to construct new terms for situations that have been crying out for nomenclature (but probably crying rather quietly, as the need for the word is only made evident by its provision (which point is interesting in itself)). 
           Witzbeharrsamkeit - Unashamedly repeating a bon mot until it is properly heard by everyone present. 
           Scheidungskreidekreisprobe - The distribution of friends after a divorce.
           Frohsinnsfaschismus - The god-awful mediocrity of organised fun. 
After you have read a page or two of this book you will start identifying situations that need such word, and, after a few pages more, you will start to provide them. - Thomas

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* Review coverage in newspapers such as the Herald Sun, Courier Mail and Sunday Star Times * Author interview in a major Australian newspaper * Radio interviews on Radio National and local ABC radio programs * Coverage in glossy magazines such as Yen, GQ and Smith Journal * Review coverage in publications such as the Big Issue, MX and the Monthly * Reading copies available to the trade * Online advertising campaign on the websites of current affairs publications such as Crikey, Monthly, ABR * Online advertising campaign through popular design websites such as Behance, Designspiration, Design Files * Promotions and giveaways with print and online publications such as the Smith Journal, Frankie, the Thousands * Advertisements in bookseller newsletters and catalogues * Banner advertising on bookseller websites * Strong social media campaign including Facebook advertising and competitions to win

Ben Schott is the author of Schott's Original Miscellany, Schott's Food & Drink Miscellany, Schott's Sporting, Gaming & Idling Miscellany, Schott's Quintessential Miscellany and the yearbook Schott's Almanac (2006-11). Ben is a regular contributor to the New York Times and The Times. He divides his time between London and New York. benschott.com @benschott

General Fields

  • : 9781922147585
  • : Text Publishing Company
  • : Text Publishing Company
  • : 0.272
  • : November 2012
  • : 120mm X 247mm
  • : Australia
  • : November 2013
  • : books

Special Fields

  • : BEN SCHOTT
  • : Hardback
  • : 1113
  • : English
  • : 438
  • : 96
  • : WHL