English As She Is SpokeIn 1855, when Jose da Fonseca and Pedro Carolino wrote an English phrasebook for Portuguese students, they faced just one problem: they didn't know any English. Even worse, they didn't own an English-to-Portuguese dictionary. What they did have, though, was a Portuguese-to-French dictionary, and a French-to-English dictionary. The linguistic train wreck that ensued is a classic of unintentional humor, now revived in the first newly selected edition in a century. Armed with Fonseca and Carolino's guide, a Portuguese traveler can insult a barber ("What news tell me? All hairs dresser are newsmonger"), complain about the orchestra ("It is a noise which to cleve the head"), go hunting ("let aim it! let make fire him"), and consult a handy selection of truly mystifying "Idiotisms and Proverbs." |
Other editions - View all
English as she is spoke; or, a jest in sober earnest José da Fonseca,Pedro Carolino Limited preview - 2020 |
English as she is spoke; or, a jest in sober earnest José da Fonseca,Pedro Carolino Limited preview - 2022 |
Common terms and phrases
accustom the Portuguese amelet Author’s bad beast bad tooth beauty edge better yours terms bird’s gurgling Boileau bring burns one’s can’t cantons Carolino’s catched cold Chivalry Orders clean of gallicisms coat Conversation in Portuguese day’s deal pack dear abbot dedicate him particularly despoiled phrases devil at four dine dress ells English language Familiar Dialogues Familiar Phrases farrier fight one’s selfs fighted in duel Fishes forward neither put french language Gleek Gossip mistress guardian hear the bird’s hunting Idiotisms Italyan kicks know to march laugh Let us prick marsh mentioned idioms mutton shoulder nails o’clock parapet Pedro Perfume play Portuguese language Portuguese pupils quater master quatergrandmother rein sharters sail know Saint Michaelmas scratch the face servants Snail Sook speak french speak very bad Starch Strek supper take a broth tame hix tell thing thunderbolt told vessel captain Woman Objects won’t worth the acceptation