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Wacky Translations

These are very cool. They came to me in an email years ago. I no longer remember who sent them.

The following are some of the winners in a New York magazine contest, in which the rules were: take ANY well-known phrase in ANY foreign language, change JUST ONE SINGLE LETTER, and then provide a definition for the new expression.

HARLEZ-VOUS FRANCAIS?
Can you drive a French motorcycle?

IDIOS AMIGOS.
We’re wild and crazy guys.

COGITO, EGGO SUM.
I think, therefore I am a waffle.

RIGOR MORRIS.
The cat is dead.

RESPONDEZ S’IL VOUS PLAID.
Honk if you’re Scottish.

QUE SERA SERF.
Life is feudal.

LE ROI EST MORT, JIVE LE ROI.
The king is dead. No kidding.

POSH MORTEM.
Death styles of the rich and famous.

VENI, VIPI, VICI.
I came, I’m a very important person, I conquered.

PRO BOZO PUBLICO.
Support your local clown.

MONAGE A TROIS.
I am three years old.

FELIX NAVIDAD.
Our cat has a boat.

HASTE CUISINE.
Fast French food.

VENI, VIDI, VICE.
I came, I saw, I partied.

QUIP PRO QUO.
A fast retort.

ALOHA OY.
Love, greetings, farewell—from such a pain you should never know.

MAZEL TON.
Tons of good luck.

APRES MOE LE DELUGE.
Curly and Larry got wet.

PORT-KOCHERE.
Sacramental wine.

Please note: This material was forwarded to me with no attribution to the actual author. If you know who created this list, please let me know so I can attribute it properly. Thanks.

Handouts and articles for educators, counselors, parents and the general public.

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