Menu
Expat.com
Search
Magazine
Search

Strange sayings

S
#1
I just posted a reply to someone in which I used a very idiomatic expression. I don't think the guy I was replying to was a native English speaker and so he may have had trouble understanding what I meant. That made me think, are there any strange phrases or sayings in the countries you live in that don't translate to our native tongue very well?

One saying from where I live is:

'The son of a duck is a floater'

Any guesses as to what that might mean in English? I'll let you know soon.

Adam
See also
Jo Ann
#2
Oy! I have no idea! English is my 4th language and it tends to be terrible sometimes...
S
#3
It means, like father, like son. In other words, the son of a duck will also be a duck. We are the product of our parents and that sort of thing. I actually saw it as the title of a book. It has a sequel called Apricots Tomorrow.
Jo Ann
#4
Oh! In Portuguese we have a say like that "son of a fish is a fish" (therefore, knows how to swim)... or "son of a snake is a snake" (that's more of an insult...)
CLGinDE
#5
In Germany: 

Die dummsten Bauern haben die dicksten Kartoffeln - the dumbest farmers have the fattest potatoes.  My husband explains that this means that you can be really smart, but still have no money.

Ein Fisch ohne Fahrrad - a fish without a bicycle.  This signifies somebody without a significant other.  Apparently the personal ads here often have titles like "Fisch sucht Fahrrad" or "Fish seeks bicycle".
S
#6
In English there is a quotation from someone who said "A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle." Guiness used it in their advertising a few years ago. I thought it meant that women don't need men because a fish would never need a bicycle.
Jo Ann
#7
Sinbad>>> I thought about that one too! :P
Gryphon
#8
Sinbad & Jo Ann >>> It's an Oscar Wilde quotation actually; quite clever guy ;)
- and it's now a big cliché in personal ads in Germany, meaning: I don't mind being a single, but YES, I'm seeking (and seeking and seeking and seeking and etc.)
Jo Ann
#9
An ad for one of those dating sites: "don't seek for love. Find it!"
S
#10
Hi Jon,

I think it means that all will be well in the morning, or something like that. Life may be hard today but we'll have apricots (ie good things) in the future.

How does that fit with the idea of 'don't count your chickens before they hatch'?

And to refer to your pot and lid saying, have you heard of 'The pot calling the kettle black'?
S
#11
Eid Mubarak to you Jon.

May the best of today be the worst of tomorrow.

Sinbad
D
#12
Just one khmer saying:
He who has never tasted bitter, knows not what is sweet

http://dadarno.over-blog.com
Invader_Stu
#13
In Holland:

"Don't stand in the sun with butter on your head."
Jo Ann
#14
In Ivory Coast, I think:

"If you swallow a coconut, it's cause you trust your anus"...
:")
S
#15
"If you swallow a coconut, it's cause you trust your anus"...
:o:sosad::lol::thanks:
Jo Ann
#16
... (blushing)

Essential services for your expat journey

Choose the best health insurance
Choose the best health insurance
Protect your health and get easy access to treatment for expats.
Plan your international move
Plan your international move
Facilitate your move by getting a quote from our top rated movers.
Open a bank account that suits you
Open a bank account that suits you
Discover the best international banks to manage your money securely.
Reliable financial advice
Reliable financial advice
Connect with our financial advisor today for expats wealth management and financial advice.
Questions and answers
Ask your questionSimilar discussions about life

Further reading

Customs regulations in Panama
Panama is a magnet for tourists, expats and business people due to its location at the crossroads of North and ...
Expat death in Malaysia
The loss of a loved one is always a painful ordeal, but also often complicated for those left behind, especially ...
Getting married in Bahrain
For expats, moving to Bahrain often involves navigating new experiences, and marriage is one of the most ...
Accommodation in Mauritius
Thanks to its idyllic setting, and its proximity to Africa, India, Australia and Asia in general, this small, ...
Getting married in Morocco
If you want to get married in Morocco, there are different steps and a variety of procedures to follow. These can ...
Everything you need to know as an expat woman in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia can be a challenging destination for women. As a strict Islamic country, Saudi Arabia imposes a lot ...
Living and accommodation on the South Coast of the Dominican Republic
Along the south coast of the Dominican Republic, going from East to West, you will find the sugar town of La ...
Getting married in Panama
If you dream of getting married in a tropical paradise, Panama may be the spot. Even non-residents can tie the ...