English makes no sense

[Kati Compton]

I was just cleaning my oven, and thought of the phrase "Elbow grease" (ie, manual effort, usually while cleaning), and how that probably makes *no* sense translated literally into other languages...

Since we have the benefit of several readers here whose first language is NOT English, what other phrases did you have a hard time understanding? What phrases in your own languages make no sense when translated to English?

Of course, there's also the difference in phrases between American English and other variants... So if any Canadians, Australians, Brits, etc have anything to add, feel free. ;)

[trachy]

When living in Germany one of my favorites was "Ich habe eine Katze," which translates to "I have a cat." As with many languages, the phrase is supposed to be accompanied by a gesture, in this case an open hand scratching one's forehead. In the end, the whole package put together is supposed to mean "I have a hangover." Apparently, the cat is supposed to be representative of a headache. I never would have picked up on it without someone explaining it to me.

[Pat Logsdon]

I've often wondered about this.

Example:

"Dagnabbit! My nag threw iron at the hootenany and now she's got a hitch in her getalong!"

I mean, what the heck? And elbow grease? That's just gross. I'm sure there's some kind of grease/pus in there, but I certainly don't want to be reminded of it.

Not that I have much room to talk, what with my handle and all. :)

[rhmorrison]

Sayings in English and French
A proverb is a short saying in common use that expresses some form of truth or familiar experience. Many proverbs come from Latin and were translated without being modified. When we say Dura lex, sed lex, we say in French, "La loi est dure, mais c'est la loi", and in English, "The law is the law".

We cannot translate every proverb or saying in the same manner. The saying in English, "A little bird told me," is translated in French, "Mon petit doigt me l'a dit," which translates to, "My little finger told me".

Choose some expressions in English and ask students to explain their meaning. In the expression, "It's raining cats and dogs," or "This is cool," the students could use their imagination for drawing the picture.

Here are some French expressions with their literal meaning followed by the English equivalent. Students could draw these pictures and then guess the meaning in English.

"Se mettre le doigt dans l'oeil" - To put one's finger in his/her eye - "To have another thing coming."

"Sans tambour ni trompette" - Without drum and trumpet - "Without any fuss."

"Couper les cheveux en quatre" - To cut one's hair in four - "To split hairs."

"Vendre la peau de l'ours avant de l'avoir tué" - To sell the bear's skin before killing it - "To count one's chickens before they are hatched"

"Avoir du pain sur la planche" - To have bread on the board - "To have a lot to do"

Donner sa langue au chat" - To give one's tongue to the cat - "To give up"

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German Proverbs and Idioms
Readers Contributions
Ein Sprichwort, a proverb or saying, is often a catchy way to learn and remember new vocabulary in German. The following proverbs, sayings, and idioms (Redewendungen) were contributed by our readers. Enjoy them, and then try our self-scoring quiz that lets you have fun matching the English and German versions.

Also see Favorite German Expressions, an article from your Guide with even more favorites from readers.



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Proverbs and Idioms from Our Readers


Alles hat ein Ende, nur die Wurst hat zwei.
Everything has an end, only the sausage has two.
- Contributed by B. Gillotti

Das hängt mir zum Hals heraus.
I've had it up to here. / I'm sick of it.
- Contributed by Cindy Oliver

Er hat einen dicken Kopf.
He's got a hangover.
Er ist ein Dickkopf.
He's stubborn (as a mule).
Kopf hoch!
Chin up!
- All contributed by Regina Baguette

Ich bin nicht von gestern.
I wasn't born yesterday.
- Contributed by Ron Boyce

Ich bin weg vom Fenster.
I'm out of the picture.
Ich fahre mit dem Lumpensammler.
I'm the last one outta here./I'm taking the last bus/train.
- Contributed by Liz Caplan-Carbin

Er fällt immer mit der Tür ins Häuschen.
He always gets right to the point/just blurts it out.
Das fällt aus dem Rahmen (des Üblichen)!
That's something with a difference/out of the ordinary!
Sie fällt mir immer ins Wort.
She's always interrupting me/butting in.
- All contributed by Alfonso Villen

Die Lügen sind wie Schneebälle: je weiter man sie fortwälzt, desto größer werden sie.
Lies are like snowballs: the farther they roll, the bigger they get.
- Contributed by Janet Larsen

Man kann nicht über den eigenen Schatten springen.
A leopard can't change his spots.
- Contributed by R.H.

Sie spielt die beleidigte Leberwurst.
She's playing the prima donna. / She gets in a huff.
- Contributed by Sarah Claudino


PROVERBS
Hundreds of further proverbs can be found on my Proverbs, Sayings and Idioms page.

Proverbs and idioms tell much about a people's traditional ways of experiencing reality, about the proper or expected ways of doing things, about values and warnings, and rules and wisdoms the elders want to impress on the minds of their young. The punch line character of proverbs--the shorter the better--makes it easy to commit them to memory for ready recall when the occasion calls for serious or humorous comment or admonition. Created by people in high and low stations, humble folk and great authors,borrowed from ancient or neighboring cultures, proverbs have been accumulating over many centuries. Some are only locally known; many are shared around the world.

Like other ethnic groups, German-speaking immigrants brought their proverbs with them. Many of them have survived, or have entered the American storehouse of proverbs in translation; but those whose character lacks the stamp of timelessness have fallen into disuse. Our selection includes both kinds.

Ruth and Eberhard Reichmann



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One proverb of Amish/Mennonite coinage carries a message that is particularly strong in German tradition, namely that it is sinful to waste food--even if it is in abundance. We would like to put it at the head of our alphabetized list:

Nimm, was du magst, iss, was du nimmst. ---- Take all you want, eat all you take.

Aller Anfang ist schwer. All beginning is difficult.The first million is the hardest.
Aller guter Dinge sind drei. All good things come in threes.
Alles durch eine rosa Brille sehen. To see everything through rose-colored glasses.
Alles für die Katz. All for naught.
Am Abend werden die Faulen fleissig. Lazybones take all day to get started.
Alte Besen kehren gut. An old broom knows the corners of the house.
Alte Liebe rostet nicht. True love never dies.
Alter schützt vor Torheit nicht. No fool like an old fool.
Arbeit macht das Leben süss. Honest work never hurt.
Aus den Augen, aus dem Sinn. Out of sight, out of mind.
Aus (Durch) Schaden wird man klug. You learn from your mistakes.
Besser ein Ende mit Schrecken, als eine Schrecken ohne Ende.

Blut ist dicker als Wasser. Blood is thicker than water.
Borgen macht Sorgen. Neither a borrower nor a lender be.
Das dicke Ende kommt nach. Be sure your sins will find you out.
Das Herz auf dem rechten Fleck haben. His/her heart in the right place.
Den Nagel auf den Kopf treffen. To hit the nail on the head.
Der Apfel fällt nicht weit vom Stamm. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. / Like father like son.
Der Klügere gibt nach (der Esel hat sein Plag). The smart one gives in.
Der Krug geht so lange zum Brunnen, bis er bricht.

Die dümmsten Bauern haben die dicksten (grössten) Kartoffeln. Dumb luck.
Die Glücklichen sind reich, die Reichen nicht immer glücklich. Money doesn't buy happiness.
Die Liebe geht durch den Magen. Kissin don't last but cookin do. / The way to a man's heart is through his stomach.
Die Liebe wächst mit dem Quadrat der Entfernung. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Die Axt im Haus erspart den Zimmermann. The axe in the house spares the carpenter.
Ehrlich währt am längsten. Honesty is the best policy.
Eigner Herd ist Goldes wert. Home sweet home./There's no place like home.
Eile macht (mit) Weile. Haste makes waste.
Einem geschenkten Gaul schaut man nicht ins Maul. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.
Ein blindes Huhn findet auch ein Korn. A blind hawk will even find an acorn.
Ein guter Stolperer f&ällt nicht. A good stumbeler falleth not.
Ein gutes Gewissen ist ein sanftes Ruhekissen.

Ein kleines Wölkchen verbirgt oft die strahlendste Sonne.
Ein Unglück kommt selten allein. Misfortune seldom comes alone./bad luck comes in threes.
Einigkeit macht stark. There is strenght in unity.
Ende gut, alles gut. All's well that ends well.
Erst die Arbeit, dann das Vergnügen. Work before pleasure.
Erst kommt das Fressen, dann die Moral. The belly has no conscience./First feedin', then preachin'.
Es geht alles vorüber. This too will pass.
Es ist nicht alles Gold, was glänzt. Not all that glitters isgold.
Es wird nicht so heiss gegessen wie es gekocht wird. It's half as bad as you think.
Freiheit ist von Gott, Freiheiten vom Teufel. Liberty is from God, liberties from the devil.
Essen und Trinken hält Leib und Seele zusammen. Eating and drinking holds body and soul together.
Freunde erkennt man in der Not. A friend in need is a friend indeed.
Frisch gewagt ist halb gewonnen. Nothing ventured, nothinggained.
Gut gewetzt iss halwer gemaeht. (P-A Dutch) Well honed is half mown."
Gegensätze ziehen sich an. Opposites attract.
Geld allein macht nicht glücklich. Money doesn't buy happiness.
Geld verdirbt den Charakter. Money ruins character.
Geteiltes Leid ist halbes Leid. Trouble shared is trouble halved--joy shared is joy doubled.
Gleich und gleich gesellt sich gern. Birds of a feather flock together.
Glück im Spiel, Unglück in der Liebe. Lucky in cards, unlucky in love.
Glück und Glas, wie leicht bricht das. Luck and glass break easily.
Gut Ding will Weile haben. Good wine takes time./Good things take time.
Haste was, biste was. Them that have, gets.
Hochmut kommt vor dem Fall. Pride goeth before the fall.
Hunde die bellen, beissen nicht. Barking dogs don't bite.
Hunger ist der beste Koch. Anything tastes good when you are hungry./Hunger is the best cook.
Im Wein ist Wahrheit. In vino veritas.
In der Not frisst der Teufel Fliegen. Any port in a storm.
Irren ist menschlich. To err is human; to forgive, divine.
Jedem Tierchen sein Pläsierchen. To each his own.
Jeder ist seines eigenen Glückes Schmied. You make your own happiness.
Jeder kehre vor seiner eigenen Tür (Mind your own business?)
Jedes Ding hat seine zwei Seiten. There are two sides to everything.
Keine Antwort ist auch eine Antwort. Silence gives consent.
Kleider machen Leute. Clothes make the man.
Kommt Zeit, kommt Rat. Time will tell.
Liebe macht blind. Love is blind.
Liebe macht erfinderisch. Love will find a way.
Lieber einen Spatz in der Hand, als eine Taube auf dem Dach. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
Lügen haben kurze Beine. Lies walk on short legs.
Mädchen, die pfeifen und Hennen (Hähnen), die krähn, soll man beizeiten den Hals herumdrehn. A whistling girl and a crowing hen always come to a bad end.
Mässigkeit ist gut und fein, nur darf sie nicht unmässig sein. Moderation is a good thing, but don't be im-moderate about it (don't overdo it)." .
Morgen, morgen, nur nicht heute, sagen alle faulen Leute. Verschiebe nicht auf morgen, was du heute kannst besorgen. Don't put off till tomorrow, what you can do today.
Morgenstund' hat Gold im Mund. The morning hour has gold in its mouth./The early bird catches (gets) the worm./Early to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.
Müssigkeit ist aller Laster Anfang. Idleness is the beginning of all sin./The devil makes work for idle hands./Idleness breeds vice. Idleness is the devil's workshop.
Neuer Wein in alten Schläuchen. New wine in old skins (bottles).
Not bricht Eisen. Necessity is the mother of invention.
Ohne Fleiss kein Preis. You get what you earn (deserve).
Quäle nie ein Tier zum Scherz, denn es fühlt wie du den Schmerz. Never hurt an animal just for fun, just think if to you'twere done.
Reden ist Silber, Schweigen ist Gold. Silence is golden, speech is silver.
Schuster, bleib bei deinen Leisten. Shoemaker stick to your last.
Schwarzbrot macht Wangen rot, Weissbrot macht Leute tot. Dark bread makes cheeks red, white bread makes people dead.
Sicher ist sicher. Don't rock the boat.
Sich regen, bringt Segen. Working brings blessing.
So ist das Leben. Such is life!
Spare in der Zeit, so hast du in der Not. Save for a rainy day.
Stille Wasser sind tief. Still waters run deep.
Übung macht den Meister. Es ist noch kein Meister vom Himmel gefallen./Practice makes perfect.
Viele Bäche machen einen Strom. Little drops of water, little grains of sand, make the mighty ocean and the pleasant land.
Viele Köche verderben den Brei. Too many cooks spoil the broth.
Vor lauter Bäumen den Wald nicht sehen. Can't see the forest for the trees.
Vorsicht ist die Mutter der Porzellankiste. Caution is the mother of the porcellain chest.
Was Du heute kannst besorgen, verschiebe nicht auf morgen. Don't put off till tomorrow, what you can do today.
Was Du nicht willst, dass man Dir tu', das füg auch keinem andern zu. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Was ich nicht weiss, macht mir nicht heiss. What you don't know won't hurt you.
Was man hat, das hat man. What you've got, you've got.
Was Hänschen nicht lernt, lernt Hans nimmermehr.
Wenn der Hahn kräht auf dem Mist, ändert sich das Wetter, oder es bleibt wie es ist.
Wenn die Katze aus dem Haus ist, tanzen die Mäuse. When the cat's away the mice will play.
Wenn Du es schon machen musst, dann kannst Du es auch gleich richtig machen. If you have to do it, you might as well do it right. If it is worth doing at all, it's worth doing it right.
Wenn Du hinauf gehst nimm gleich was mit!. Don't go up empty-handed!
Wenns dem Esel zu gut (wohl) geht, geht er aufs Eis (tanzen). Don't be foolish.
Wer andern eine Grube gräbt fällt selbst hinein. Caught in your own trap.
Wer A sagt, muss auch B sagen. Finish what you start.
Wer den Pfennig nicht ehrt, ist den Taler (des Talers) nicht wert. He, who doesn't value the penny, doesn't deserve the dollar.
Wer den Schaden hat, braucht für den Spott nicht zu sorgen.
Wer einmal lügt, dem glaubt man nicht, und wenn er auch die Wahrheit spricht. Don't cry "wolf."
Wer nicht fortgeht, kommt nie heim. He who never leaves, never comes home.
Wer im Glashaus sitzt soll nicht mit Steinen werfen. People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
Wer rastet, der rostet. Use it or lose it.
Wer zuletzt lacht, lacht am besten. He who laughs last, laughs best.
Wess' Brot ich ess', dess' Lied ich sing. Whose bread I eat, his song I sing.
Wie die Alten sungen, so zwitschern die Jungen. Like father, like son.
Wie du mir, so ich dir. Tit for tat.
Wie gewonnen, so zeronnen. Easy come, easy go.
Wie man in den Wald hineinschreit, so hallt es wieder. Your words can come back to haunt you.
Wie man sich bettet, so liegt (schläft) man. You made your own bed, now lie in it. / As the cap is put on, so it must be worn.
Wo ein Wille ist, da ist auch ein Weg. Where there's a will, there's a way.
Wo mir's gut geht, ist mein Vaterland. Ubi bene, ibi patria.
Zeige mir Deine Freunde und ich sage Dir wer Du bist. Tell me who you associate with, and I will tell you who you are. / A man is known by the friends he keeps.
Zeit ist Geld. Time is money.

[dubStylee]

I was just cleaning my oven, and thought of the phrase "Elbow grease"

The field of Cognitive Linguistics would disagree that the phrase "makes no sense". Like most metphors, it is part of a highly structured interlocking set of related concepts. Consider other metaphors relating humans to machines:

Put the idea on the back burner.
Shift into high gear for this project.
He's cooking with gas.
Her elevator doesn't go to the top floor.

It also bears a structural similarity to other two word combinations. For example, most native speakers can distinguish between the different meanings of the phrases "child safe" and "shark safe" -- the first is safe *for* the child and the second safe *from* the shark. Similarly, native speakers recognize (even if only unconsciously) that "elbow grease" is more similar to "axle grease" than it is to "hair grease".

If this is of interest, there are lots of good metaphor/cognitive linguistics sites on the net, e.g. U.Berkeley,U.Oregon,MIT, etc.

[dubStylee]

So if any Canadians, Australians, Brits, etc have anything to add, feel free. ;)

If you introduce your sister to a Brit and they ask her "Can I knock you up sometime?", they mean, "can I come calling, i.e. knock on your door", not exactly what the phrase would call to mind this side of the pond. :-)

[dubStylee]

And elbow grease? That's just gross. I'm sure there's some kind of grease/pus in there, but I certainly don't want to be reminded of it.

Then I advise you not to go into the elbow room.

[Pat Logsdon]

Then I advise you not to go into the elbow room.
ARGH! :D
I guess I should have expected that kind of knee-jerk reaction, though. :wink:

[Pat Logsdon]

Vorsicht ist die Mutter der Porzellankiste. Caution is the mother of the porcellain chest.
Is this an actual expression? I've never heard it before, and have no idea what it means. Any background on it?

FWIW, I'm picturing two kinds of chests. One has a lid and holds things. :twisted:

[dcharles18]

We cannot translate every proverb or saying in the same manner. The saying in English, "A little bird told me," is translated in French, "Mon petit doigt me l'a dit," which translates to, "My little finger told me".


So that's where 'Flipping the Bird' came from . . .

[Kati Compton]

We cannot translate every proverb or saying in the same manner. The saying in English, "A little bird told me," is translated in French, "Mon petit doigt me l'a dit," which translates to, "My little finger told me".
Interesting. But am I the only one who upon reading this part was thinking "REDRUM! REDRUM!"?

[andrewlwood]

You guys should check out Brewer's dictionary of Phrase and Fable.

There's also a 20th century one - and a US one.

Fantastic trivia 'root of the expression' dictionary.

Favourite is where the expression 'freezing the balls off a brass monkey'

Brass monkey=cannonball holder on a ship
When the weather got cold, the brass would contract faster than the iron cannonball, and the cannonballs would go rolling all over the deck...

[EvilOne]

You guys should check out Brewer's dictionary of Phrase and Fable.

There's also a 20th century one - and a US one.

Got a link?

[trachy]

Got a link?

A la Google...

http://www.bartleby.com/81/

[JackTheTripper]

How about strange phrases that are not used in a language, but are known around the world.

My wife and I were talking to a friend of ours who is French. I thought of something and jokingly said ‘Sacrebleu’, which I've always thought is an exclamation the French use. Well, after he stopped laughing and picked himself off the floor he explained that that's really not used in France anymore. He equated it to when he was learning English from someone in France for whom English was their second language. He came to the US with enough English to be fairly conversational, but always got funny looks at stores when he asked where he could buy 'trousers.'

[felixdd]

My friend told me that if you want to ask for a cigarette from a friend in the UK, the slang way to ask for it is, "Can I bum a fag?"

I have trouble believing that -- can some here verify?

[Kati Compton]

My friend told me that if you want to ask for a cigarette from a friend in the UK, the slang way to ask for it is, "Can I bum a fag?"
I have trouble believing that -- can some here verify?
I have heard of fag==cigarette. I don't know about the use of "bum" though. I'd be surprised - I thought it strictly meant backside there.

[Fishie]

The Can I bum a fag thing is correct, a bum begs so you can see where it comes from.

Ive always had more problems whith the frase In youre face.

[hollis_f]

My friend told me that if you want to ask for a cigarette from a friend in the UK, the slang way to ask for it is, "Can I bum a fag?"

I have trouble believing that -- can some here verify?
'S true, although not so common nowadays.

There are many other potential problems with the two nations seperated by a common toungue. I remember being dumbstruck when an American colleague complained that her fanny was numb after sitting through a long meeting. For us Brits a fanny is something that no male has.

But the most amazing was while channel-hopping one day. One channel was showing an old 'Mork and Mindy' and I was sure that I'd heard one of the characters referred to as 'Mr Wanker'. Unable to believe this I had to watch the rest of it - all the way through to the credits. Sure enough, Mindy's father's landlord was called Mr Wanker. Until that point I never knew that it was only us Brits that used that term for somebody who commits the sin of Onan.

[Kati Compton]

But the most amazing was while channel-hopping one day. One channel was showing an old 'Mork and Mindy' and I was sure that I'd heard one of the characters referred to as 'Mr Wanker'. Unable to believe this I had to watch the rest of it - all the way through to the credits. Sure enough, Mindy's father's landlord was called Mr Wanker. Until that point I never knew that it was only us Brits that used that term for somebody who commits the sin of Onan.
It's just less common here, but we do use the term occasionally.

[bjornkeizers]

Dutch is a nasty language as well. It's far more different then English. My english is pretty much flawless, but I cannot write dutch [my native language] without making a billion mistakes every other word. :roll:

It just doesn't make sense.

[dh]

My friend told me that if you want to ask for a cigarette from a friend in the UK, the slang way to ask for it is, "Can I bum a fag?"

I have trouble believing that -- can some here verify?

Sad but true, although I haven't heard anyone actually say that in many years.

Fags are cigarettes and to bum something means to scrounge or borrow.
Kind of like "Can I bum a lift home? I'm way too pissed to drive"

As everyone knows, Pissed in English means drunk, not annoyed as in American.

[David Prahl]

In spanish, if a male is young and attractive ("hot" in English), he is called "the cheese." Apparently this does not work for women, only men. Oh well.

If someone is crazy, they are INsane
If they're not crazy, they're sane.

If someone is smart, they're INtelligent.
There is no word "telligent".

English really is a stupid language! Let's all use marine flags from now on...

[andrewlwood]

How about strange phrases that are not used in a language, but are known around the world.

My wife and I were talking to a friend of ours who is French. I thought of something and jokingly said ‘Sacrebleu’, which I've always thought is an exclamation the French use. Well, after he stopped laughing and picked himself off the floor he explained that that's really not used in France anymore. He equated it to when he was learning English from someone in France for whom English was their second language. He came to the US with enough English to be fairly conversational, but always got funny looks at stores when he asked where he could buy 'trousers.'

In England, trousers are still called trousers. If you go out in a pair of pants and no trousers in england, you'd be arrested. Or at least pointed at.

I remember my English teacher explaining the meaning of the swearword 'bloody'. It's a protracted form of 'by our lady', meaning the queen - because you can't use 'damned', it's blasphemy.

[dh]

Favourite is where the expression 'freezing the balls off a brass monkey'

That's funny. I've always refered to cold weather as "Brass Monkey Weather" without ever giving a thought to what it actually meant.

Until recently I lived in New Hampshire. Plenty of Brass Monkey Weather there!

[othell]

In spanish, if a male is young and attractive ("hot" in English), he is called "the cheese." Apparently this does not work for women, only men. Oh well.

If someone is crazy, they are INsane
If they're not crazy, they're sane.

If someone is smart, they're INtelligent.
There is no word "telligent".

English really is a stupid language! Let's all use marine flags from now on...

I'm not sure that 'in' in intelligent is a prefix...

But yes... the nuances of the English language can be extremely difficult to pick up.

[Sunnyone]

My daughter's current favorite - I'm not sure how it would translate into another language. :wink:

"He's a french fry short of a Happy Meal."

[othell]

My daughter's current favorite - I'm not sure how it would translate into another language. :wink:

"He's a french fry short of a Happy Meal."

Don't ya mean "freedom fry"? :wink:

[Sunnyone]

Nope. No freedom fries at our house. Only French :wink:

[Adam]

Nope. No freedom fries at our house. Only French :wink:

You know they're called "French Fries" (fries being the literal translation of "frites") because they were introduced to the English speaking world (from Belgium - who invented them) by a Scotsman (from Dundee, I believe) called Mr. French?

[Adam]

So if any Canadians, Australians, Brits, etc have anything to add, feel free. ;)

If you introduce your sister to a Brit and they ask her "Can I knock you up sometime?", they mean, "can I come calling, i.e. knock on your door", not exactly what the phrase would call to mind this side of the pond. :-)

Er, we would? I've only known that phrase to mean what you seem to imply it means to you.... :)

[Adam]

My friend told me that if you want to ask for a cigarette from a friend in the UK, the slang way to ask for it is, "Can I bum a fag?"

I have trouble believing that -- can some here verify?

Sad but true, although I haven't heard anyone actually say that in many years.


"Fags" are still in common usage but I always thought that "to bum" as in to scrounge (and not what it meant in the school playground e.g. "what fags do") was a US word that had made it over here. You learn something new every day and today's not been wasted.

[jlp]

And elbow grease? That's just gross. I'm sure there's some kind of grease/pus in there, but I certainly don't want to be reminded of it.

Then I advise you not to go into the elbow room.

Elbow grease translates literally and means exactly the same in French: graisse de coude.

However I don't know what "elbow room" means in English.

[JackTheTripper]

However I don't know what "elbow room" means in English.

When you're in a croud of people, say at a music event, and everyone is right up against you, you don't have any elbow room.

It's also sometimes used as a metaphor, like if someone is constantly calling you, you tell them "You need to give me some elbow room."

[Kati Compton]

Yes - it's another way of saying "personal space"

[Adam]

Most actions that use the arm involve the elbow moving away from the body - thus there needs to be room for the elbow to move. Next time there's many of you sitting round a small table at dinner, you'll get a good illustration.

[aroma]

My friend told me that if you want to ask for a cigarette from a friend in the UK, the slang way to ask for it is, "Can I bum a fag?"

I have trouble believing that -- can some here verify?

Recently my company had an English gent as a consultant on a project, and once, when calling for a break in a presentation he was giving, he stated that he "needed to go out back and blow a fag". Needless to say, some eyes popped open... then he quickly explainted what he ment.

- Aaron

[ctmagnus]

I have heard of fag==cigarette.

I've also heard fag referring to matches. (To start a fire, not "match made in heaven")

[Certified Optimist]

...remember my first term studying English and we were asked to read this book (one of the classics) about a woman who was a "harlot"...

Didn't know what the word ment, but guessed it must be an old English word for some kind of occupation (e.g. seamstress)... Couldn't quite understand why some people were upset by this woman's occupation, so I looked up the word... :oops: ...which suddenly explained things...

Nedless to say... from that day I looked up any word I couldn't quite make sense out of...

[Bruno Figueiredo]

Well, let's have it a go at some portuguese expressions:

"Casa de Ferreiro, Espeto de Pau" - Blacksmith's House, Wood Fork - Not having the tool of your trade in your house, i.e., you're a computer repairmen and you don't have a screwdriver in your house

"Em briga de marido e mulher não se mete a colher" - Don't put a spoon in a fight between husband and wife - Don't interfere with a husband and wife fighting

"Não dar pérolas a porcos" - Don't give pearls to pigs - Don't give good things to who doesn't appreciate them

"Para quem é, bacalhau basta" - For who it is, codfish is enough - Don't give good things to who doesn't appreciate them

[ironguy]

The English word 'faggot' originally meant stick or small branch, specifically used when referring to a bundle of faggots that would be used as kindling to start a fire. The smoldering faggot translated itself into a cigarette, in other words, a small smoldering twig. The word has since become foreshortened to 'fag'. It is still used although its not heard commonly.

The British have several other words that have VERY different connotations here in the States. I'd mention some here but I'd get in trouble. :mrgreen:

[MBaas]

Vorsicht ist die Mutter der Porzellankiste. Caution is the mother of the porcellain chest.
Is this an actual expression? I've never heard it before, and have no idea what it means. Any background on it?

Yes, this is a phrase which is still used in german these days. I guess it could be translated "Better safe then sorry". Also "chest" refers to a box, not to the thing under your neck :D

I remember having some fun when two americans come over and we went through the town and they saw a "Sparkasse" and some store were they sold "Schmuck"...

The word "Gift" is also interesting: it exists in the same spelling in german and english. But in german it refers to "poison"...

[Bruno Figueiredo]

More Portuguese Expressions:

****CAUTION: Some are R rated!!!****

CAN'T SEE THE POINT OF A HORN
Não vejo a ponta de um corno
(Very dark / foggy)

LOWER THE PEBBLE
Arrear o calhau
(To defecate)

TO PUNISH PORCELAIN
Castigar Porcelana
(Same as above)

CHANGE THE OLIVES'S WATER
Mudar a água às azeitonas
(To urinate)

THAT STAYS IN JUDAS'S ASS
Isso fica no cú de Judas
(A very far away place)

PUT YOURSELF IN THE EYE OF THE STREET
Põe-te no olho da rua
(To throw someone out the door)

I'LL MAKE YOU INTO A EIGHT
Faço-te num oito
(I'll fight you)

PUT YOURSELF AT STICK
Põe-te a pau
(Be warned)

CLEAR MY STORE
Desampara-me a loja
(Get out of my face)

WIND YOUR SHOES AND SPLIT YOURSELF
Dá corda aos sapatos e pira-te
(You better run or i'll get you)

WALKING LIKE SPIDERS
Andar às aranhas
(Doesn't know what to do)

DAY OF SAINT NEVER IN THE AFTERNOON
Dia de S. Nunca à Tarde
(It's not gonna happen)

AS GOOD AS CORN
Boa como ó milho
(Beautiful Woman)

GO COMB MONKEYS
Vai pentear macacos
(Get out of my face)

EVEN THE TOMATOES FELL TO THE GROUND
Até os tomates caíram ao chão
(I jaw-dropped - guess what the tomatoes are)

YOU'RE ACTING LIKE A RACE-FISH
Estás armado em carapau de corrida
(You think you're good)

I'M DONE LIKE A STEAK
Estou feito ao bife
(I'm doomed)

I'M SAND-PAPERED
Estou lixado
(I'm doomed)

SMART AS GARLICK
Esperto como um alho
(To be smart)

EYES OF A DEAD LAMB
Olhos de carneiro mal morto
(To seduce)

CRACK THE PEACH TREE
Esgalhar o pessegueiro
(To aaaa... pleasure yourself?)

LIKE AN OX STARING AT A PALACE
Parece um boi a olhar para um palácio
(You don't know jack)

PASS BY THE ASHES
Passar pelas brasas
(To take a nap)

TAKE WATER IN THE BEAK
Levar água no bico
(Wanting something in return)

THINGS OF OLD WOMAN'S ARCH
Coisas do arco da velha
(Refurbished / Old things)

[Pat Logsdon]

GO COMB MONKEYS
Vai pentear macacos
(Get out of my face)
I'm going to have to start using this one.
"You got a problem with me, mister?"
"Yeah! Go comb monkeys!"

:mrgreen:

Monkeys are funny.

[Bruno Figueiredo]

THAT STAYS IN JUDAS'S ASS
Isso fica no cú de Judas
(A very far away place)

Actually, there really is such a place with that name in Portugal (Judas's Ass). It's in San Miguel island in the Azores... :D

[Jimmy Dodd]

I used to work for a guy who was born and raised in Taiwan. His English, while far better than my Chinese, was questionable at best. One day he asked me to come into his office and explain the phrase "ballpark figure" or "in the ballpark." It seems that a customer had asked for him to give him a ballpark figure for the cost of our doing some work. He had to find an excuse to get off the phone to find out what the guy was talking about. It took thirty minutes to explain what the phrase but also why it meant "a rough estimate."

My French professor in college (who was French) tells of her initial years in the U.S as an exchange student. While baby-sitting for a neighbor one night the phone rang. When she answered the caller, a friend of the family, asked for Mr. X, the husband. She couldn't think of the proper English phrase so she translated (literally) from French "He's passed away." Shocked and alarmed at the news of his friend's unexpected death, the caller asked to speak to Mrs. X. "She's passed away, too." reported the young girl. Totally flabbergasted by this double tradgedy the caller finally regained enough composure to ask "who are you." She thought for a moment and said "I'm sitting on the baby!"

[Bruno Figueiredo]

:rotfl: