A Conversation for You're Giving Me...(Strange Translations)

The worst mistranslations ...

Post 1

The Dancing Tree

... often occur between various versions of English. For instance, never attempt to "bum a fag" in the USA ...


The worst mistranslations ...

Post 2

Dudemeister

or borrow their "rubber". Especially if you just asked to bum a fag. It might produce anadverse or unwanted reaction.


The worst mistranslations ...

Post 3

flubbering mattress


In Australia, flip flops are called "thongs".
You can imagine my English Aunts face when I told her that it was not considered appropriate to wear thongs in a pub.


The worst mistranslations ...

Post 4

Dinsdale Piranha

In France, there is a soft drink on the market called pschitt


The worst mistranslations ...

Post 5

Dudemeister

The biggest bread company in Mexico is Bimbo. They sell Bimbo bread across Latin America.


The worst mistranslations ...

Post 6

Jan^

A British perfume company failed to sell 'Spray Mist' in Germany, as Mist means 'manure' in german. Similarly, don't try to give a German a 'Gift', as Gift is poison. However, if a German inroduces you to his 'Farter', don't be offended, 'Vater' (pronounced farter) is his father.


The worst mistranslations ...

Post 7

Dudemeister

I always found conjugating "fahren" very amusing as a schoolboy.

There's always the "ausfahrt". What houses with foundation stress do to relieve pressure.


Speaking of Ausfahrt

Post 8

Santragenius V

A true story (yes, I swear!)

Back in '93 I was at a European sales meeting in Germany. The UK contingent arrived to the hotel by bus from the airport -- and one guy had been really amazed about the size of the city Ausfahrt. "I bet we saw at least 15 exits towards it....."


Speaking of Ausfahrt

Post 9

Santragenius V

Oops, forgot one thing...

I think I have seen this in another forum somewherem but anyway. On Danish elevators, the small lamp indicating that the elevator is moving is marked "I fart". Sometimes UK people are not too keen on entering when the elevator doors open... (it does mean "moving").

Also, I've come across English people finding Denmark very strict upon seeing a Fartplan on the wall in the airport. Actually, it's a bus timetable...


Speaking of Ausfahrt

Post 10

Dudemeister

Seeing a fartplan on a small aircraft would be more disturbing, especially if you are on a 7 hour transcontinental journey to Copenhagen and your neighbour is consulting their fartplan.


Speaking of Ausfahrt

Post 11

Neugen Amoeba

The search engine pointed me to this site for the word "gastropod". Go figure!?

I once saw a sign in a bar near Narita airport (Tokyo):
"Women with nuts, free with beer".


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