Cows on Ice and Owls in the Bog

Book excerpt: Scandinavians are cooler, sexier, and more stylish than the rest of us. They have a higher standard of living, greater economic opportunity and equality, the world's best restaurants, and moody TV dramas involving murders and sweaters. But did you know, amidst the obsession with hygge, IKEA, and lagom, that Scandinavian sayings are absolutely BIZARRE?! Take the Swedish 'Skita i det blåa skåpet', which roughly translates as 'You've done a poop in the blue locker' ('You've really messed things up now'). Or, in Norway, 'Født bak en brunost': 'He was born behind a brown cheese' (this chap is a bit slow on the uptake). In Denmark you might say instead: 'Han har roterende fis i kasketten' (he's got rotating crap in his cap!). This witty, enlightening book will give you 50 phrases you never knew you needed in your life, explaining their origin and literal translations, with fun color illustrations throughout.