11.03.07
Vegetables as Expletives
I have to say it … one of the most fascinating parts of learning Italian has been learning the more colorful phrases. Obviously, our kids have picked up some pretty good ones. There’s an expression in Italian: Che cavolo! Literally, what cabbage! It’s not a bad thing to say, and in fact is even a sort of childish expression. It’s probably closest in English to “What on earth?” or maybe “Oh my!” But it’s a hard thing to translate.
Except for Trey, who I heard say in English the other day (without batting an eye), “What cabbage!”
Cous Cous said,
11.07.07 at 6:17 pm
i heard that story from patti beardon monday night when i went to get my hair cut…it’s like when jacob said (in english) that something lance did was “strong!!” (i.e. ‘forte’ in italian)…FUNNY STUFF!
Katy Smelser said,
11.09.07 at 8:54 am
One of my favorite German ones, for someone who isn’t quite all there, is: “He doesn’t have all his cups in the cupboard!”
Jason Casey said,
11.10.07 at 12:10 pm
Porca patata!
Sheyenne said,
12.23.07 at 1:34 pm
That is so funny…. made me laugh… people around thought I was odd for just laughing at the computer.