Whether borne out of surprise, anger, passion or humour, curses and insults make up some of the most colourful and profound phrases in a language, offering insight into cultural mores and a greater understanding of the most fundamental social and personal taboos.

Organized by language for an overview of each culture's favoured profanities, this beautifully illustrated volume -- put together by language experts from around the world -- is an essential reference to the brilliantly inventive, funny, scorchingly insulting words you won't learn in a language class...