The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission.

Misleading Translations: the next 40

Who says we British are poor at languages? Our team of translators has been working tirelessly to bring you the finer meanings of familiar but elusive foreign phrases

John Rentoul

Monday 26 January 2015 09:14 GMT

Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

Support Now

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

I compiled a Top 10 Misleading Translations in The Independent on Sunday magazine yesterday. This was a popular list, and I received many more nominations that were worthy of publication, so I have compiled the rest of the Top 50 below.

Qui custodiet ipsos custodes. My custard diet put pounds on my hips. Thanks to Simon Landau.

Schadenfreude. The joy of shutting the curtains. Robert Wright. Or: Sunglasses belonging to Sigmund, Lucien or Clement. Brendan Barnes.

Lèse-majesté. A minor member of the royal family. Mark Bassett.

Entre deux mers. Between two mothers. Fiona Laird.

Je m’appelle. Juice with my own apples. 54 Beats 44.

Moi aussi. I am an Australian. Nick Short.

L’escargot. Reduce the amount of luggage on that craft. Citizen Sane.

Coup d’état. Let’s get rid of this crappy stock. Ben Stanley.

Deus ex machina. OMG, my laptop’s died. Robert Wright. (Although other translators render it as “juice without bits”.)

Noblesse oblige. You don't have to say “bless you” after someone sneezes. Robert Wright.

Übermensch. An outrageous tweet even Louise Mensch wouldn’t send. Mark Bassett.

Ad nauseam. Sick of that John Lewis commercial. Citizen Sane.

Schmaltz. A slow dance. Graham Kirby.

Magnum opus. A large Irish cat. Graham Kirby.

Ersatz. Denoting someone used to sit here. Alan Robertson.

Bauhaus. Sheep enclosure. Alan Robertson.

Glockenspiel. Tendency of police officers to tell long stories once they join the firearms squad. Alan Robertson.

Auto da fé. Instantly charged. Alan Robertson.

Bossa nova. Under new management. Alan Robertson.

Antipasto. The opposite of spaghetti. Alan Robertson.

De gustibus non est disputandum. High winds and no mistake. Claudia Pritchard.

Sotto voce. In a drunken voice. Christina Demetriou.

O sole mio. It’s only me. Christina Demetriou.

On y soit qui mal y pense. I honestly think I’m getting a headache. Gary Twynam.

Ich bin ein Berliner. I throw away anything German. Adam Huntley.

Gerard Depardieu. Steven Gerrard is leaving Liverpool. Adam Huntley.

Modus operandi. Orchestral version of Quadraphrenia. Adam Huntley.

Ad hoc. Mix with cheap wine. Adam Huntley.

Caveat emptor. Stone Age refuse collector. Adam Huntley.

Dieu et mon droit. God is my finger. Julian Archer.

Suivez la piste. Follow the drunken lady. Julian Archer.

La vie en rose. The pink aeroplane. Charles Oglethorpe.

Esprit de corps. Embalming fluid. Lloyd Bracey.

Nom de plume. Plucked. Hugh Kellett.

Krankenheit. About four and a half feet tall (like the little one dressed as a schoolboy). Brendan Barnes.

Fruits de mer. Release Boris. Brendan Barnes.

Malade. A very poor commercial. Brendan Barnes.

Mardi Gras. A police informant having a strop. Brendan Barnes.

Lederhosen. To sleep with ladies of ill repute. Brendan Barnes.

O tempora o mores. I could eat this Japanese food all day. William French.

Marvellous. Many thanks to you all. I am the mere curator of greater talents. More curation is available in Listellany: A Miscellany of Very British Top 10s from Politics to Pop.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies