More <i> Merde</i> for the Masses

Apropos of “Merde: The Real French You Were Never Taught at School,” reviewed by Jack Miles (The Book Review, March 23), you might like to know that “Harrap’s English-French/French-English Slang Dictionary” is about 10 times as long as “Merde” for only $19.95. It includes various items you didn’t mention, such as merder (to come to nothing, to screw up), merdique (very difficult, not up to the mark), merdouille (clumsiness, as well as s---), and merdouiller (to flounder, to get into a bloody mess), not to mention such locutions as avoir un oeil qui dit merde a l’autre (to be cross-eyed, to squint), oui ou merde (yes or no) and semer la merde (cause confusion).

PETER HEINEGG

Schenectady

Editors note: The price of “Merde” was erroneously given on March 23. The correct price is $4.95.