Fine cloth copy in an equally fine dust-wrapper. Particularly well-preserved overall; tight, bright, clean and especially sharp-cornered. Physical description; (341 p.) 20 cm. Subjects; Languages, Secret. Historical linguistics. Ciphers. Cryptography. Cryptography; guidebooks. 1 Kg.

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Bibliographic Details

Title: Secret Language : Codes, Tricks, Spies, Thieves, and Symbols
Publisher: Oxford : Oxford University Press
Publication Date: 2010
Language: English
ISBN 10: 0199579288
ISBN 13: 9780199579280
Binding: Hardcover
Edition: First Edition.
Weight: 1 kilogram

About this title

Synopsis

With revelations on every page, and sample codes and puzzles for the reader to crack, Secret Language will entertain everyone with an urge to know more about the most arcane and curious uses of language. From backmasking to the Enigma Machine, from magic words to literary symbols, here is a lively, engaging tour of languages that hide their meanings from all but a chosen few. Blake explains the difference between ciphers and codes and shows how secret messages have been written--and broken--for almost two thousand years. He explores the history and uses of the slang and argot of schools and trades, tracing the stories of centuries-old cants such as those used by sailors and criminals--among them polari, the mix of Italian, Yiddish, and slang once spoken among strolling players and circus folk and most recently adopted by the gay community. He examines the sacred languages of ancient cults and religions, uncovers the workings of onomancy, spells, and gematria, considers the obliqueness of allusion and parody, and celebrates the absurdities of euphemism and jargon.

About the Author

Barry J. Blake is Emeritus Professor of Linguistics at La Trobe University. His books include Playing with Words and All About Language.

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MW Books Limited
70A Renmore Road, Renmore, Galway, Ireland

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MW Books Limited. Registered at 70A Renmore Road, Galway, Ireland. Email;
mwbooksire@gmailcom. Tel; +353.87.6927443. Authorized representative; Jim
Shaughnessy. Company registration; 382786. Vat; IE 6402786L.
Immediate same day dispatch on credit card orders. Full refund on prompt return
of book if not completely satisfied with either condition or description (please
notify upon receipt). Please do not hesitate to email us with any questions
Digital Images available upon request. Accept Visa, Ma...

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