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Your countries sayings...

(66 posts)
  • Started 5 months ago by JKay
  • Latest reply from GaardCeteru
  • Topic Viewed 1006 times


1 2 3 4
JKay
JKay
Posts: 74

Okay so this one really is Off Topic Lighthouse lol. I noticed reading through some of the forums that somebody from austrailia said something then had "(touch wood)" after that. Kinda like I would say "knock on wood" with trying to find wood to knock on, and if there's not any around use your buddies head, but anyway, thought it was interesting, and realized we have a lot of different countries that all speak at least a little english... you know where I'm going with this, just curious.

Posted 5 months ago #
 
Lighthouse
Lighthouse
Posts: 5574

"Well. I'll go to the foot of our stairs"! "Touch wood" is a common saying in England (and spelled "Touchwood", it is the name of Catweazles toad).

Posted 5 months ago #
 
Aleeve
Aleeve
Posts: 1594

doesn't 'touch wood' mean close shave or similar?

Posted 5 months ago #
 
Lighthouse
Lighthouse
Posts: 5574

No. Try again :)

Posted 5 months ago #
 
Aleeve
Aleeve
Posts: 1594

hmmmm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knocking_on_wood
????

Posted 5 months ago #
 
Lighthouse
Lighthouse
Posts: 5574

Yes. For instance. You have just repaired your broken computer. Just before you switch it on, to see if your repair worked. You touch wood (for luck)

Posted 5 months ago #
 
Aleeve
Aleeve
Posts: 1594

Yes I agree :)

Posted 5 months ago #
 
jack7h3r1pp3r
jack7h3r1pp3r
Posts: 2495

haha great

Posted 5 months ago #
 
Aleeve
Aleeve
Posts: 1594

lighthouse are you suggesting something here....#
:D

Posted 5 months ago #
 
mpc104
mpc104
Posts: 261

here in the usa we say "knock on wood" (just my 2 cents)

Posted 5 months ago #
 
jack7h3r1pp3r
jack7h3r1pp3r
Posts: 2495

i think that was stated in the first post. lol

Posted 5 months ago #
 
JKay
JKay
Posts: 74

we've got a lot of stupid questions sayings, like "there's no stupid questions just stupid people.", "The only stupid question is one that isnt asked.", and my philosophy "the only stupid question is one you already know the answer to!"

Posted 5 months ago #
 
Lighthouse
Lighthouse
Posts: 5574

"doh"!?

Posted 5 months ago #
 
whs
whs
Posts: 6322

It is interesting that sayings seem to only work in the original language. I have tried several times to translate German or French sayings into American, but then people look at me as if I commited a crime or make that sweet/sour face.

Posted 5 months ago #
 
Lighthouse
Lighthouse
Posts: 5574

"Too many cooks"?
"A bird in the hand"?

Posted 5 months ago #
 
whs
whs
Posts: 6322

The full sayings are actually "Too many cooks spoil the mash" and "A sparrow in the hand is better than a pigeon on the roof"

Posted 5 months ago #
 
Lighthouse
Lighthouse
Posts: 5574

In UK
Too many cooks spoil the broth
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush

Posted 5 months ago #
 
Aleeve
Aleeve
Posts: 1594

yes

Posted 5 months ago #
 
ScottW
ScottW
Posts: 2569

A pigeon on the roof isn't worth anything to me, so saying something is better seems obvious. That one doesn't translate well.

Here in the US, knock on wood could be quite painful and touch wood is just...naughty!

Posted 5 months ago #
 
Aleeve
Aleeve
Posts: 1594

Hmm
about wood - i think I get your drift!

Posted 5 months ago #
 

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