Schott's Significa: An Unexpectedly Essential Guide to Language
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SCHOTT IS BACK – and better than ever.
From the mind behind the million-copy bestseller Schott’s Original Miscellany comes an indispensable field guide to the hidden lore and secret languages of our modern age.
A must-give gift for word nerds, culture lovers and the endlessly curious
'Beyond extraordinary' Gyles Brandreth
‘The Rosetta Stone for modern times’ Graydon Carter
‘This truly remarkable book is quite unlike any other work of etymology or entertainment’ Andrew Roberts
‘Ben Schott … cannot write an inelegant sentence’ The Times
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When do London cabbies take oranges and lemons?
How do marmalade droppers sell newspapers?
Who eats the forbidden brownie at Starbucks?
Secret languages surround us. From graffiti writers, gondoliers, and gym rats to spies, sneakerheads, and Swifties — every group creates a private lingo of jargon and gesture that eludes the rest of the world.
Not anymore.
In Schott’s Significa, Ben Schott — bestselling author and master curator of the ungoogleable — unlocks 53 of the most intriguing linguistic subcultures, including:
- Casinos and crypto
- Doctors and dog walkers
- Bartenders and typographers
- Stunt performers and church ushers
- Paparazzi snappers and competitive eaters.
Painstakingly researched, lavishly illustrated and exquisitely designed, Schott’s Significa is more than a miscellany of secret languages.
It’s a celebration of the power of communication, the joy of connection, and the delight of discovery.
International availability - Europe and the United States.
We have resumed some European and US shipping in line with new EU GPSR regulations and recent changes to US tariffs. British Library Publications, including our subscriptions, are now available for order for customers across Europe and the United States.
We will continue rolling out our most popular products to these regions in stages. If you are browsing from Europe or the US, you can now see the products that are available for you to order.
We’re working hard to expand the offering, so the selection you see online will continue to grow as products are cleared for shipping.
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| Timescale | ||
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| Order value | Under £25 | £25 - £50 | £50 - £100* | Over £100* | Timescale |
| Airmail | £ 15 | £ 25 | £ 36 | £ 45 | Usually 2 - 4 weeks |
Rest of the World orders
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| Airmail | £ 20 | £ 30 | £ 40 | £ 50 | Usually 2 - 4 weeks |
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