Cassell's colloquial French: A handbook of idiomatic usage

This one may be old and perhaps hard to find, but believe me, it is well worth the trouble to seek it out. I discovered it after having purchased the newer 1999 "Insider's French: Beyond the Dictionary" by the same couple. Written primarily in dictionary format with the alphabetization on the French which may render it difficult for those searching for an English equivalent without some previous knowledge of usage, this slim volume published in 1980 provides an arbitrary compendium of words and phrases that if studied and utilized can help those with an already firm footing in French grammar and vocabulary to advance with greater ease in understanding and communicating the genuine spoken language. Some slang, clichés and idioms are included, but this is primarily a book about everyday usage that will enrich your command of the language in general. For example, the entry for "arriver" provides the literal sense, "to arrive" or "to come" but also includes the idea of "to happen" as in "il m'est arrive un drõle de truc en allant au bureau", meaning "A funny thing happened to me on the way to the office." While "Je n'arrange pas à fermer les volets" translates as "I cannot manage to get the shutters closed", "Qu'est-ce qui vous arrive?" signifies "What's happened?' or "What's the matter?" In addition, when someone rings your doorbell, you might say in English, "I'm coming." The French, however, do not say "je viens," but, "j'arrive." Additional words derived from the initially defined word are included. Here, 'arriviste' connotes an ambitious person unconcerned about his/her unscrupulous determination to climb the social ladder. "L'arrivisme" defines the science surrounding this lifestyle perspective. "Arrivée" at a railroad or airport means "arrivals," while "un arrivage" is "a delivery of vegetables, fruit or fish." The expressions used in sentences provide greater hands-on comprehension. Admirably, anything considerably vulgar is so labeled ensuring that no undesirable language will be utilized by those who have no experience in this realm and wish to avoid the social crippling faux pas. Separate word and phrase lists ranging from" Banking", "False Friends", "Courtesy," "Franglais," "Genders," "Telling the Time," "Numbers," "Informal French," "Housing," "Household," "Post Office," "Entertainment," "Telephone," to "Cars" provide a more intense look at particular everyday situations. The authors provide a cross-reference in English which points to a corresponding word in French but alas, does not include dictionary page numbers. Bottom line: This is perhaps the only colloquial text necessary to further expand your already vocabulary and grammar rich knowledge of the French language. Recommended for all advanced students. Reading a page a night affords much insightful and up-to-date information.