I can’t quite explain why, but I find it most amusing when Jacob and I talk to each other in broken English. We actually talk like that a lot.
We actually talk like that all the time.
It goes like this:
“You buy milk?”
“Da be!” (Bulgarian for “Yes, and I am annoyed that you had to ask.” Roughly speaking.)
“Is good.”
A part of this Jacob-and-Sophia idiolect includes me using Russian sayings, translated literally into English. Sometimes they make sense, but often their meaning is completely lost in translation, which makes them all the more funny.
Here are some examples:
As we say in my country, “Work is no wolf, won’t run off into the woods.”
Translation: “You can always do it tomorrow. Now let’s go and have fun!”
That nails the Russian folk-soul right there.
Kick a woman off a cart, and the mare will have a lighter load!
Translation: “Good riddance!”
Isn’t it fun to learn things about another culture through its language?
And here is Jacob’s favorite:
Hunger is not your auntie, won’t serve you pies. Usually, only the “hunger is not your auntie” part is used, which sounds completely nonsensical to a non-Russian.
Can you guess what it could possibly mean?
It means, “Desperate times call for desperate measures.”
There is no truth in feet. = “Take a seat!”
Elderberry grows in the garden, a dude lives in Kiev. = “Non sequitur” or “red herring.”
And here is my favorite one:
You can’t ruin porridge with extra butter.
I’d say so.
The beauty of a house is measured by its pies rather than its corners (= decor, stuff).
With that, my friends, I wholeheartedly agree.
To a master hunter, game comes of its own free will. - Or, in the words of Escanaba in da Moonlight, “Everything comes to those who shoot straight.” Very much my life principle.
Follow the cabbage soup. = Follow the money.
I especially love this one:
A quarrel between lovers is a form of entertainment.
My secret to a happy marriage!
I also love the wonderfully concise yet extremely descriptive Azerbaijani expressions, like this one:
butter for my heart = “that makes me very flattered/pleased”
Gotta love the ways of the East.
How about you? Can you think of foreign expressions that make you laugh?
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
My father’s favorite expression while driving (and being cut off by bad drivers) is “chtob tebe slona rodit’” Yep, I had a fun time translating that one for Josh. I once told him that I could put together a Russian sentence of 7 words using only verbs. “????? ?????? ??????? ????????? ??????? ?????? ??????” That pretty much floored him. He has great respect for the great & mighty Russian language.
Oh I love that one – I may have not heard that one before! All the more funny coming from your anesthesiologist dad!
I have a French friend who taught me, “Ça, c’est une autre paire de manches.” Literally, “That is another pair of sleeves.” American equivalent: “That’s a horse of a different color.” Cracks me up every time.
My friend Anna just shared this one in the comments: “May you give birth to an elephant!” – you say it to the people who pissed you off. It may be unique to Anna’s dad, I am not sure I’ve heard it before. It’s a good one though.
Waaait… someone else has seen Escanaba in the Moonlight?
My favorite movie!
Exactly what I was thinking!
The elderberries and the dude in Kiev: In US we would interject the phrase “what’s that got to do with the price of eggs?” into the conversation when another non sequitor has been thrown in.
I like the wolves… like saying, the work will be here tomorrow.
Hunger…. like saying don’t embrace your misery.
In spanish someone sits with nothing to do “como enanito en el jardin” – like a garden troll statue.
This was really enjoyable!
Thanks!
baba s voza, kobile legche
lol!!! my mom says that alll the time
?????? ????? ?? ???! Don’t hang noodles on my ears
)
To est: veshat lapshu na ushi
That is a hilarious one, isn’t it.