How a Portuguese-to-English Phrasebook Became a Cult Comedy Sensation

Thu, 17 Aug 2017 22:47:38 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/how-a-portuguese-to-english-phrasebook-became-a-cult-comedy-sensation>

"In the middle of the 19th century, a relatively unknown author named
Pedro Carolino rapidly gained intercontinental popularity over a small
Portuguese-to-English phrasebook. English as She Is Spoke (or O novo
guia da conversação em portuguez e inglez
) was originally intended to
help Portuguese speakers dabble in the English tongue, but was penned by
a man who spoke little to no English himself. And, instead of helping
Portuguese speakers learn a second language, it became a cult classic
for fans of inept and unintentional humor."

The execution wasn't adequate to the noble intention, and thus was an
early meme launched - long before Zero Wing gave us "All your base".

Via Muse.

Share and enjoy,
                *** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net                   Andrew Pam
http://www.xanadu.com.au/                 Chief Scientist, Xanadu
http://www.glasswings.com.au/             Partner, Glass Wings
http://www.sericyb.com.au/                Manager, Serious Cybernetics

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