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lost in translation... is this the most embarrassing comment someone could make in all innocence?

243 replies

oricella · 01/12/2010 11:54

Posted this before in bilingual, but it deserves a wider audience..

My dad recently stated that my lovely 2 year old was acting like a cat, 'giving heads'.... (the Dutch expression 'kopjes geven' describes the way cats nudge you with their head)

That one had me under the table... (and blush at having to try and explain to him why!)

Anyone else have any good mistranslations?

OP posts:
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Itsjustafleshwound · 01/12/2010 11:57

My gran asked my mum what a 'gang bang' was Grin ...

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Goingspare · 01/12/2010 12:06

My school friend's Swedish mother once halted a dinner party in its tracks by clearing away the starter, then asking, 'Would you like intercourse?'

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santasbluebaubles · 01/12/2010 12:12

When we were students in france my english friend got chatting to our french housemate (in french)about how french bread is so different to our packets of processed stuff. She mentioned being worried about the english stuff being full of "preservatifs". It means condoms. I have never seen a french person laugh so much.

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lucysmum · 01/12/2010 12:13

I once received a report from colleagues abroad. Instead of discussing 'monthly' accounts it went in to great detail about 'menstrual' accounts....

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Joekate · 01/12/2010 12:16

My mum had a friend that used to go for "an intercourse cigarette" half way through a meal. Smile

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CloudsAway · 01/12/2010 12:16

I remember being about 10 or 11, and looking for Xmas presents for my Dad, and suggesting to my mum and sister in the shop that I could get him a travel chess set, so that he could "play with himself" (and not have to have an opponent all the time, as seemed logical to me at the time). I remember them smirking, but I am not sure whether they explained at the time or whether I figured it out later/myself.

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ProfessorLaytonIsMyLoveSlave · 01/12/2010 12:40

I have a friend who announced to a group of his friends in Italy that his genitals were arriving on a plane the next day.

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AbsofLatkes · 01/12/2010 12:44

There's an expression in Hebrew, which is kind of equivalent to "good egg", which is "rosh tov" which literally means "good head". One (male) friend was saying about another friend "oh yes, he's got good head". Followed by awkward silence from the English speakers.

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franke · 01/12/2010 12:46

I once helped a German company with some publicity material for selling their products in the UK. They were adamant that they wanted to say "The paint brush is the organ that the artist plays with". They took some convincing not to use it, I had to be very blunt in the end.

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blushingm · 01/12/2010 12:48

my mum once said to her work mates - 'sorry my hair is such a mess i've just done a quick blow job' - she meant blow dried her hair

my sister also asked for 'preservatif' to go with her croisants..............the family she was staying with didn't know where to look

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FanjoForTheMincePies · 01/12/2010 12:50

i knew someone who wanted to introduce her friend to a group of French acquaintances, got mixed up and said 'i'd like to penetrate my friend X'

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jamaisjedors · 01/12/2010 12:51

DH asked my Granny at Xmas dinner whether it was time for the intercourse!

Obviously a common one that one!

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jamaisjedors · 01/12/2010 12:52

The DSs also say "I've wet myself" when they have got themselves wet in the bath (ready for hairwash).

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everythingiseverything · 01/12/2010 12:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

bulby · 01/12/2010 12:54

My german penpal once told me about the fund raising event she'd taken part in for 'children with crabs' I think she meant cancer.

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kveta · 01/12/2010 12:56

potrebuju curat means I need to pee, potrebuju curak means I need a cock in czech. It was embarrassing saying it in front of BIL, and DH has forbidden me from speaking in front of his father now :o

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SandStorm · 01/12/2010 12:56

I remember at a careers evening when I was at school I had my heart set on a career in law. My father spotted a stand (can't remember what it was now) and tried to get me to look at it.

I simply replied, "no thanks, I think I'll stick to soliciting".

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ChickensHaveNoMercyForTurkeys · 01/12/2010 12:56
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FanjoForTheMincePies · 01/12/2010 12:56

these are all hilarious! Grin

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everythingiseverything · 01/12/2010 12:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

blushingm · 01/12/2010 13:00

oh and my mum also asked me what a mars bar party is HmmBlush

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bucaneve · 01/12/2010 13:03

When working in a restuarant in Italy I walked into the kitchen and shouted "does this salad have any preservativi in it?" (also condoms)

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mummytoatribe · 01/12/2010 13:07

Sandstorm my exH once asked his dad if there was much money in soliciting :o

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mummytoatribe · 01/12/2010 13:08

Blushingm erm...what is a mars bar party?! Blush

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tb · 01/12/2010 13:10

I can remember my first winter here in France. Unlike in the UK when it's cold it's a very dry cold, and I suffer from dry skin. I can remember meaning to say that my cheeks were dry and cold, and somehow, managed to say that my arse was instead Blush. No doubt in 50 years time dd will be pointed out as the lady whose English mother had a cold arse in winter.

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