
Quick & Dirty Korean for Lovers (Korean/English Guide)
- Hardcover$15.95
- Ebook$9.99

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As much as a Rat's Tail | 한국 비속어: 쥐꼬리만큼 (Insiders Guide)
By Peter N. Liptak and Siwoo Lee
A textbook can tell you what the words mean. This book lets you in on what people mean when they say them: the jokes, the insults, the awkward moments and the culture behind the comeback.
Look inside the book ↓$19.95
Paperback · In stock
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A language with a life outside the classroom
You can know the grammar and still miss the punch line. As Much as a Rat’s Tail follows Korean into the places a polite phrasebook rarely goes: banter between friends, bar talk, schoolyard language, Konglish, insults and euphemisms. It explains not just what an expression translates to, but what is going on when somebody uses it.
Explore the paperback and ebook in our store →One phrase, two meanings
입이 싸다
That distance between translation and meaning is the fun of this book.

Extra notes unpack unusual words and the meanings a dictionary misses.

Cultural notes explain the social cues behind a phrase and who can say it to whom.
Each entry gets a social-risk rating, from polite conversation to words best left unsaid.
The book has a cast
Korean and English dialogues put each expression into a scene. The recurring characters are fictional; their conversations show how much tone and company matter.
Look inside
A phrase can mean one thing in a dictionary and something else entirely among friends. See how Korean slang works in illustrated conversations, with the context a classroom usually leaves out.
From the entry for nakhasan
Choose an editionLiterally meaning a parachute, nakhasan became slang for the influence of one’s parents or political connections being used to gain a favorable position or preferential treatment. It is roughly akin to “pulling strings” or being born with a silver spoon.
About the book
Korean Slang: As much as a Rat's Tail | 한국 비속어: 쥐꼬리만큼
The Insider’s guide to learning Korean Slang, Invective and Euphemism – An irreverent look at Language within Culture
Want to learn what the kids are really saying? All the Korean they will never teach you in class? To finally master Korean, & keep up with the inside jokes, the slang & the insults as you throw back soju with friends?
If so, get 'street' with:
AS MUCH AS A RAT'S TAIL – THE INSIDER'S GUIDE TO KOREAN SLANG, INVECTIVE & EUPHEMISM
(AN IRREVERENT LOOK AT LANGUAGE WITHIN CULTURE)
Want to finally master Korean through witty expressions, fun dialogue, a solid command of slang, and some kickass culture tips?
Learn the fun way, then impress your friends, win arguments with your soon-to-be ex, or understand Korean pop culture, without having to rub shoulders the totally-tattooed gangpae (mob guy) at the bathhouse or the local room salon.
YOU’RE COOL LIKE KOREA… YOU’RE A REAL BADASS, SO LEARN TO SPEAK LIKE ONE!
Being a linguistic badass in Korea takes more than knowing how to say a simple 안녕하세요, so shake shit up and raise eyebrows with some well placed Korean slang.
“Why learn slang?” you query… ’cause it’s fun! It breaks down barriers between cultures, it raises eyebrows… It says you’re down, you’re cool like Korea, you’re Badass! So learn some slang from the GreyRat before you become the linguistic equivalent of a 99-pound weakling.
Korean is rich with dynamic linguistic expressions and freshly coined language. A Rat's Tail dives into the intricacies of modern Korean slang introducing the hip, hot, spicy & sexual, the irreverent and inspiring, the cultural, crass & comical.
This is the Korean not covered in the language books, full of color and infused with philosophy. With A Rat's Tail in hand, you can impress others with your verbal acumen as you complement their fashion sense, dish out dirty words, or text up a storm, while you gain insight into the mind and culture of the Korean people.
Inside - Get the lingo on:
Get the Straight Scoop with explanations of uncommon words & unusual usage.
Culturally Speaking - get the skinny on how Koreans think, speak or act.
Plus how to pick up, break up, make up, or get down & dirty.
Find out who's abusing you and how to talk about someone behind their back.
Either you’re here as a novice, to learn a bit of shocking language, or you’re here to share some wisdom, or maybe to disagree with the whole concept, but whatever your reason for visiting, we’d like to say thanks and welcome! Now, let’s get to work!
Editions
Read live from the Exile Press store.
| Format | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Paperback | $19.95 | In stock |
| Ebook | $9.99 | In stock |
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