1. Home
  2. Beading Crafts
  3. OT: Adventures in translation

OT: Adventures in translation

DD and I have been writing back and forth via email while she's away. Today, she wanted to know the German word for cheater. Apparently, she's been playing cards with my favorite aunt, and has been losing her jellybeans, big time. (They play for candy) I wrote her back, saying that I won't give her the word, because the translation of cheat is almost identical to the translation for sh*t.

I've been caught saying the wrong word more than once, and advised DD to cheat back, rather than saying anything. I got an evil laugh in return, because DD is _really good_ at cheating while playing cards. I think she was just waiting for the word, and is going to enjoy playing cards for the rest of the trip.

--------

Today, my little troublemaker went to lunch at a German MacDonald's with my cousin. When asked what she wanted to drink, DD responded "Sierra Mist," which is a lemony type soda available here in the US. Unfortunately, "Mist" is the German word for manure. After getting the shocked reaction she was hoping for, DD ordered a Coke.

She's definitely my daughter, all right.

Kathy N-V

Reply to
Kathy N-V
Loading thread data ...

are both such a kick. I really enjoy reading about you!

Reply to
Kandice Seeber

Grandpa always said "tau gut nicht" (I've no no real idea of how to spell it) which means "good for nothing" for situations like a rottten hand of cards. Sarajane

Sarajane's Polymer Clay Gallery

formatting link

view my auctions at:

formatting link

Reply to
Sjpolyclay

On Thu, 31 Jul 2003 13:01:47 -0400, VManes wrote (in message ):

She'd better not be having a McBeer with her Big Mac! My kid is only 13 years old!

Kathy N-V

Reply to
Kathy N-V

I got conscripted to translate between a bunch of German and US soldiers once. One of the German soldiers pointed at one of the US soldiers' markmanship medal and asked what he had won that medal for. As in English, the German words for shoot and sh*t differ only in a vowel sound. I intended to reply that he had received the medal because "he shoots well". Unfortunately I managed to mangle the vowel, with the predictable result. Much laughter and a great question, "In the US Army you get medals for THAT?"

Elise

Reply to
EL

Along the same lines, we use the phrase "no bueno por caca", which is a literal translation into Spanish of "no good for s--t". Apparently it's not at all idiomatic, but also perfectly clear to a native Spanish speaker -- they tend to look stunned for a moment and then burst into laughter!

Celine

Reply to
Lee S. Billings

LOL - you can also get beer out of vending machines! :) I got to do that when I was in Germany with my grandparents during my junior year in high school. I thought it was the coolest thing when Grandpa asked me to get him a beer from the hotel vending machine. Of course, he wouldn't let me drink it. :D

Reply to
Kandice Seeber

Reply to
Kandice Seeber

InspirePoint website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.