رُبّ ضارة نافعة: “A harmful thing may be beneficial.” مصائب قوم عند قوم فوائد: “Some people’s adversities are beneficial to other people.” كل تأخيرة فيها خيرة: “Every delay brings about something good.”
Every cloud has a silver lining in Basque
Bataren gaitza besteak on = lit. With an evil of one thing (or someone) another one can draw benefit. Source: Refranero Multilingüe
Every cloud has a silver lining in Catalan
D’un gran mal en surt un gran bé = lit. From a great evil comes a great good.
No hi ha mal que per bé no vingui = lit. There is no evil that doesn’t come for a a good.
Every cloud has a silver lining in Croatian
Svako zlo za neko dobro = lit. every evil for some good
Every cloud has a silver lining in Czech
Vše zlé je k něčemu dobré. = lit. All bad [things] are good to something. (Every bad [thing] is good for something.)
Every cloud has a silver lining in Dutch
Achter de wolken schijnt de zon // elke wolk heeft een zilveren voering. // altijd een geluk bij een ongeluk = lit. always lucky in an accident.
Every cloud has a silver lining in Estonian
Vihmaga saab vilja, põuaga põhku. ~ With rain comes grain, with drought (comes) hay. Õnn ja õnnetus käivad käsikäes. ~ Happiness and unhappiness walk hand in hand. Õnnest tuleb õnnetus ja õnnetusest õnn. ~ Out of happiness comes unhappiness and out of unhappiness (comes) happiness. Ka kõige mustem mure kaob valge liiva all. ~ Even the darkest sorrow disappears underneath the white sand.
Every cloud has a silver lining in French
À quelque chose malheur est bon = lit. In every evil thing there is something good.
Every cloud has a silver lining in Galician
Non hai mal que por ben non veña = lit. There is no evil that doesn’t come for a a good.
Every cloud has a silver lining in German
Wo Schatten ist, ist auch Licht. ~ Where there is shadow there is also light.
Es hat allessein Gutes = lit. It has all its good
Nach düstern Wolken scheint die Sonne am stärksten = lit. behing hidden clouds the sun shines stronger.
Every cloud has a silver lining in Greek
«Ουδέν κακόν αμιγές καλού» or in polytonic spelling (since it’s a Stoic belief, I think Epicurean): «Οὐδὲν κακὸν ἀμιγὲς καλοῦ» in Modern Greek pronunciation: /u’ðen ka’kon ami’ʝes ka’lu/ lit. “There’s no evil without some good
Every cloud has a silver lining in Hebrew
הכל לטובה hakol letova – everything is for the best
Also “מעז יצא מתוק” – [me’az yatsa matok] = “out of the strong came forth sweetness”.
Every cloud has a silver lining in Hungarian
Minden rosszban van valami jó.
Every cloud has a silver lining in Irish gaelic
Tha a’ ghrian air cùlaibh gach sgothan = lit. In every bad situation there is an element of good
Every cloud has a silver lining in Italian
“Dietro ogni nuvola c’è un raggio di sole” (The sun shines behind the clouds). “Finita la pioggia torna il sereno” (As soon as it stops raining, the sun starts shining).
“Non tutto il male viene per nuocere” – “Not all the bad things come to hurt”
Every cloud has a silver lining in Japanese
苦あれば楽あり(if there is pain, there is another gain) and 災い転じて福となす(misfortune will be transformed into fortune).
Every cloud has a silver lining in Korean
불행 중 다행-something good that comes out of something bad
Every cloud has a silver lining in Latin
Malum nullum est sine aliquo bono = There is no evil without some good.
Every cloud has a silver lining in Portuguese
Há males que vêm para o/por bem. ( lit. There are bad things that come for the sake o good)
Every cloud has a silver lining in Russian
нет худа без добра /net khuda bez dobra/ – [there is] no bad without good.
Every cloud has a silver lining in Swedish
Varje moln har en silverkant but it’s not a very common expression, but we usually say “Varje moln har en guldkant” – Every cloud have a gold lining.
“Inget ont som inte har något gott med sig” – Nothing evil that doesn’t have something good with it.
Every cloud has a silver lining in Scottish Gaelic
Tha a’ ghrian air cùlaibh gach sgothan = literally, The sun is behind each boat.
Every cloud has a silver lining in Spanish
No hay mal que por bien no venga: There is no evil that doesn’t come for a a good.
Every cloud has a silver lining in Turkish
“Her işte bir hayır vardır.” –> lit. “There is something good in everything.“
Slang is a type of language consisting of words and phrases that are regarded as very informal are more common in speech than writing, even though some writers use it a lot.
Absobloodylutely
Absobloodylutely in Catalan: oi tant; i tant!; Ja ho pots ben dir; ja hi pots pujar de peus… Even efectiviwonder.
Aggro
Aggro in Catalan: Mal rotllo, brega ( “bronca”)
Airy-fairy
Airy-fairy in Catalan = cap de pardals
All gravy
All gravy in Catalan = Collonut, tot bé, tot va bé, de put* mare (the missing word is an “a”)
(to pull an) All nighter
To pull an all nighter in Catalan = passar la nit en blanc. to pull an all nighter (partying) and then going to work/study = empalmar
Amazeballs
Amazeballs in Catalan = Brutal, la hòstia, que t’hi cagues.
Ankle-biter
Ankle-biter in Catalan = marrec, menut(s), Ankle-biters = mainada
Anorak
Anorak in Catalan: raret/a, friky
(to go) ape
(to) go ape in Catalan: empipar-se com una mona.
Arse
Arse in Catalan: Cul
Arse-licker (arse-kisser)
Arse-licker in Catalan = pilota, llepa-culs.
Arseholed
Arsholed in Catalan: Piripi
Arty-farty (Artsy)
Artsy-farty or arty in Catalan: culturetes
(to get the) axe / ax
To get the axe in Catalan = fer fora; ser acomiadat
Baccy
Bacci in Catalan: paper de tabac (or tabac de liar)
Bloke
Bloke in Catalan: paio
Bog
in Catalan: vàter
Bog roll
Bog roll in Catalan: Paper de vàter
Botched
Botched in Catalan: anar-se’n a la merda, en orris
Dog’s bollocks
Dog’s bollocks in Catalan: la hòstia
Barmy
Similar to Bonkers. Barmy in Catalan: com un llum.
Cheesed off
Cheesed off in Catalan: ratllat/da
Chips
Chips in Catalan: : patates fregides
Ricky Gervais British English Slang
Chock-a-block
Chock-a-block = crowded Chock-a-block in Catalan: de gom a gom
Chuffed
Chuffed = very happy, very pleased Chuffed in Catalan: Encantat
Codswallop
Codswallop = Bollocks. Codswallop in Catalan: Collonades
Dishy
Dishy in Catalan: està bo; atractiu, guapo
Dodgy
Dodgy in Catalan: xungo
Dosh
Dosh in Catalan: Pasta
Fag
Fag = cigarette. Fag in Catalan = piti
Know your onions
Know your onions = saber el que et fas / saber el que et fas
Fluke
Fluke in Catalan = xamba, sort
Full of beans
Full of beans = pletòric, ple d’energia
Hard lines
Hard lines in Catalan: mala sort, anar mal dades (22)
Tocat del Bolet (Nuts) is a blog that aims to promote and share Catalan language and culture throughout its most typical expressions, in a fun and informative way.
Thank you for your attention. We look forward to your comments and questions. Nuts ~Tocat del bolet, Catalan culture crossing borders! Share this post!
Here are some of the best one-liners we have found on the internet. We have included an explanation of each joke for those who are learning English or, no offence, just don’t get it. Most of them are puns or game on words. You can copy them and text them on whatsapp, Line, Wechat or the messaging APP you use, but please, mention us or at least keep our URL in between each joke. We hope you have fun. So, without further ado, let’s get started!
Melons – Lemons, from the famous sentence “If life gives you lemons, make a lemonade”.
2. Plagiarism already exists. It is the practice of taking someone else’s work or ideas and passing them off as one’s own.
4. Game on words. All right = ok and the whole right side
5. Torn apart= To violently rip or pull someone or something into pieces. Also in a figurative sense.
6. Flaser: a man who exposes his genitals in public.
7. Game on words non-prophet organisation / non-profit organisation .
8. Game on words: tie = a piece of string, cord, or similar used for fastening or tying something and achieving the same score or ranking as another competitor or team.
10. Galore = in abundance
12. Double-meaning of the word “tense”= verb tense and tension, awkward
13. Sound dye = die and dye, colour or tint
14. (to) split up = (to) break up
15. Handy= convenient
16. Pointless = futile, aimless
17:
18. Hoover = vacuum cleaner
19. Corny= trite, banal, or mawkishly sentimental.
20. Double meaning of the word “stable” = (of a patient or their medical condition) not deteriorating in health after an injury or operation and a building set apart and adapted for keeping horses.
22. Windowsill = a ledge or sill forming the bottom part of a window. Ledge is a ridge and also a shortening of the word “legend.” A legend is someone who is well-known, often for doing something great or incredible.
23. Aluminium foil and foil = prevent (something considered wrong or undesirable) from succeeding.
25. Moral fiber (AE) = integrity, moral standing fiber = grain Cereal sounds like serial
Today, 02-02-2020, is a palyndrome day. A palindromic number is a number that remains the same when its digits are reversed. Catalans have a special name for this type of number: capicua (pronunced [ka.piˈku.a], it means literally, “headandtail” written together).
Capicua in English, French and Spanish
Capicua in English is a Palindromic number and in French a Nombre palindrome .
Finally, the word of Catalan origin Capicua became popular in Spanish, just by adding an accent on the letter u, that is to say, Capicúa, and then the word was added to the RAE dictionary. Now capicúa is widely used in Spanish, too.
English language idioms illustrated and translated to other languages
An idiom is a group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words (e.g. over the hill, at the drop of a hat ). Here is a list of the most popular idioms in English translated to other languages and illustrated, some of them with a touch of humour. Enjoy yourself!
Add insult to injury
(to) Add insult to injury = to make a bad situation even worse Catalan: according to the context, it may translate to per si no fos prou, ficar el dit a la llaga or per acabar-ho d’arrodonir/d’adobar (said ironically) French: pour couronner le tout Galician: Aínda por riba German: Salz in die Wunde streuen Spanish: Para colmo de males
A little bird told me
A Little bird told me = someone gave me a piece of information about something that is supposed to be secret Catalan: Un ocellet m’ha dit… French: mon petit doigt m’a dit Spanish: Un pajarito me ha dicho.
(to be) All ears = (to) listen actively Catalan: sóc tot orelles French: tout ouïe German: Ich bin ganz Ohr Italian: tutto orecchie Portuguese: todo ouvidos Spanish: todo oídos
An arm and a leg
(to cost) An arm and a leg = very expensive Catalan: costar un ull de la cara French: coûter les yeux de la tête German: eine Stange Geld kosten Italian: Costare un occhio della testa Spanish: Costar un riñón
A needle in a haystack
A needle in a haystack = something that is almost impossible to find because it is hidden among so many other things. Catalan: una agulla en un paller French: chercher une aiguille dans une botte de foin German: Nadel im Heuhaufen Italian: ago in un pagliaio Macedonian: и́гла во стог се́но Portuguese: agulha num palheiro Spanish: Aguja en un pajar
This one is easy to find
A penny for your thoughts
A penny for your thoughts = used to ask someone what they are thinking about. There are no exact equivalents, but we can use these expressions in other languages to convey the same meaning: Catalan: En què penses? French: à quoi penses-tu en ce moment Spanish: ¿En qué estás pensando?
As fit as a fiddle
A short fuse
A short fuse = have a tendency to lose one’s temper quickly, to have a short temper Catalan: ser de sang calenta French: se mettre en rogne facilement German: jähzornig sein Spanish: de sangre caliente.
At the drop of a hat = right away Catalan: en un tres i no-res. French: sans hésiter Galician: Axiña, decontado German: sofort, unverzüglich Italian: immediatamente, subito Portuguese: na hora Romanian: imediat, îndată Scottish Gaelic: anns a’ bhad, sa bhad, gu grad Spanish: Ipso facto
If you need help, just call me. I can come at the drop of a hat.
Bite the bullet
(to) bite the bullet in Catalan: fer el cor fort French: Serrer les dents, trouver le courage de faire [qch] German: die Kröte schlucken Italian: farsi cuore Portuguese: Cerrar os dentes Spanish: Hacer de tripas corazón
Brand new
French: flambant neuf German: nagelneu, brandneu Scottish Irish: amach ón tsnáthaid, (of garment) as an bhfilleadh Spanish: recién estrenado, sin estrenar, flamante
Butterflies in my stomach
Butterflies in my stomach = to be uneasy, nervous Catalan = tenir papallones a la panxa French: avoir le trac Spanish: tener mariposas en el estómago German: Schmetterlinge im Bauch haben Spanish: mariposas en el estómago
Back to the drawing board
Back to the drawing board = to start again or try another idea. It is similar to Back to square one or to start from scratch Catalan: sant tornem-hi French: parler pour ne rien dire German: Fangen wir noch mal von vorne an Spanish: volver a la casilla de salida
Ball is in your court
Ball is in your court = It is up to you to make a move. Catalan: la pilota és a la teva taulada. French: la balle est dans son camp German: eine Stange Geld kosten Italian: tocca a te Spanish: la pelota está en tu tejado
Bark up the wrong tree
(to) Bark up the wrong tree = to have a wrong idea Catalan: errar el tret, anar desencaminat French: faire fausse route, se mettre le doigt dans l’œil, miser sur le mauvais cheval German: auf dem Holzweg sein Portuguese: bater à porta errada, bater na porta errada Spanish: llamar a la puerta equivocada, errar el tiro.
Beat around the bush
(to) beat around the bush = to avoid talking about what is really important and instead talk about other things Catalan: anar-se’n per les branques French: tourner autour du pot German: um den heißen Brei herumreden Italian: menare il can per l’aia Spanish: andarse con rodeos
Bend over backwards
(to) bend over backwards= make every effort to achieve something, especially to be helpful Catalan: fer mans i mànigues French: Se mettre en quatre German: sich ein Bein ausreißen Italian: farsi in quattro Spanish: remover cielo y tierra
Bite off more than one can chew
Bite off more than one can chew = to take on a task that is way too big. Catalan: estirar més el braç que la màniga. French: Qui trop embrasse, mal étreint. Spanish: El que mucho abarca, poco aprieta German: Wer zu viel fasst, lässt viel fallen Italian: Chi troppo vuole nulla stringe. Portuguese: Quem muito abarca pouco abraça.
Blow smoke
(to) Blow smoke = (to) deliberately confuse or deceive Catalan: Marejar la perdiu French: parler pour ne rien dire German: jdm. etwas vormachen Spanish: marear la perdiz
Break a leg!
Break a leg! = have luck (said to actors before they go on stage) Catalan: molta merda! French: Je te dis merde! German: Hals- und Beinbruch! Italian: in bocca al lupo! Portuguese: Merda! Spanish: ¡Mucha mierda!
Bundle of nerves
Bundle of nerves = somebody who is extremely anxious or tense. Catalan: un sac de nervis Basque: Buru gabeko oiloak bezala gabiltza Gaelic Irish: bheith an-neirbhíseach French: un paquet de nerfs German: ein Bündel Nerven Italian: un fascio di nervi Portuguese: uma pilha de nervos Mandarin Chinese: 紧张不安的人 Russian: клубок нервов
By the skin of your teeth
By the skin of your teeth = by a very narrow margin; only just Catalan: pels pèls French: de justesse; (colloquial) d’un poil German: mit Ach und Krach Italian: per un pelo Scottish Gaelic: air èiginn Spanish: por los pelos
Cat got your tongue?
Cat got your tongue? = expression used to ask someone why they are not saying anything Catalan: Que se t’ha menjat la llengua el gat? Chinese: 你成了啞巴了嗎？(literally, have you become dumb?) German: Du hast wohl die Sprache verloren? Italian: Il gatto ti ha mangiato la lingua? Russian: язы́к проглоти́л? (literally, “did you swallow your tongue?”) Spanish: ¿Te ha comido la lengua el gato?
(to get) Cold feet
Fer-se enrere, acollonir-se (CAT); Être moins chaud pour qch (FR); kalte Füße bekommen (GE) Echarse atrás, acojonarse (SP)
Crying wolf
Crying wolf : someone who continues asking for help when they don’t really need it, with the result that people think they don’t need help when they actually need it. Catalan: que ve el llop! Queixar-se per no-res. Plora-miques. French: crier au loup Spanish: Que viene el lobo.
Cut some slack
Cut someone some slack : to give some some leeway in their conduct. Catalan: donar una mica de marge French: grappe à [qqn] (colloquial); être indulgent envers [qqn] German: mit jdm. nachsichtig sein Spanish: dar cuartelillo.
(to) Draw the line: to set a limit on what you are willing to do or accept. Catalan: marcar una línia vermella. French: tracer un trait German: einen Trennungsstrich ziehen zwischen Spanish: poner límites
Easier said than done
Easier said than done: sth that is uncomplicated to propose, but difficult to accomplish. Catalan: més fàcil dir-ho que fer-ho French: plus facile à dire qu’à faire German: leichter gesagt als getan Portuguese: più facile a dirsi che a farsi Spanish: del dicho al hecho hay mucho trecho
Fish out of water
Fish out of water = to feel uncomfortable in a situation Catalan: peix fora de l’aigua French: Poisson hors de l’eau German: fehl am Platz Spanish: Pez fuera del agua (SP)
Gift of tongues
Gift of tongues = to be gifted for languages Catalan: (tenir) Do de llengües
Get goosebumps
(to) get goosebumps = the body hair stands on end as the result of an intense feeling Catalan: pell de gallina French: Avoir la chair de poule Spanish: Ponerse la piel de gallina German: Ich bekam eine Gänsehaut. (I got goosebumps) Italian: venire la pelle d’oca. Portuguese: arrepiar-se Basque: oilo-ipurdi.
Go the extra mile
(to) Go the extra mile = to make an extra effort. Catalan: fer un esforç extra. French: Se mettre en quatre German: noch einen Schritt weiter gehen Spanish: hacer un esfuerzo extra
Hit the books
(to) Hit the books = to study Catalan: fer colzes French: potasser German: die Nase in die Bücher stecken Spanish: empollar; estudiar
(to) hit the books
Hit the sack / hay / bed
(to) Hit the sack / hay / bed = go to bed Catalan: Anar a dormir, anar a clapar, a fer nones French: Se pieuter German: ins Bett gehen sich in die Falle hauen Italian: assopirsi, appisolarsi Spanish: Irse al sobre; irse a la cama
Hit the nail on the head
(to) hit the nail on the head in Chinese: Mandarin: 一針見血 (zh), 一针见血 (zh) (yīzhēnjiànxiě) (draw blood on the first prick) (to) hit the nail on the head in Catalan: Justa la fusta (just to the whip); clavar-la (to nail it). (to) hit the nail on the head in Czech: uhodit hřebíček na hlavičku, udeřit hřebíček na hlavičku (to hit the cloves on the head, to hit the nail on the head). (to) hit the nail on the head in Danish: ramme hovedet på sømmet (to hit the head on the seam). (to) hit the nail on the head in Dutch: de spijker op de kop slaan (to hit the nail on the head). (to) hit the nail on the head in Finnish: osua naulan kantaan (to hit the nail on the head). (to) hit the nail on the head in French: faire mouche (literally, to do the fly). (to) hit the nail on the head in German: den Nagel auf den Kopf treffen ((to hit the nail on the head). (to) hit the nail on the head in Hungarian: fején találja a szöget (hu) (to) hit the nail on the head in Icelandic: hitta naglann á höfuðið, eiga kollgátuna, hitta í mark, koma orðum að kjarna máls, tilgreina kjarna máls (to) hit the nail on the head in Italian: colpire nel segno (to hit the mark). (to) hit the nail on the head in Lithuanian: durti kaip pirštu į akį (prick as finger in the eye) (to) hit the nail on the head in Polish: trafić w sedno (to hit the nail) (to) hit the nail on the head in Portuguese: acertar em cheio (literally, to fully hit). (to) hit the nail on the head in Russian: попа́сть не в бровь а в глаз (popástʹ ne v brovʹ a v glaz) (hit not the brow but the eye), попа́сть в то́чку (popástʹ v tóčku) (hit the spot) (to) hit the nail on the head in Spanish: dar en el blanco (to hit the bullseye), dar en el clavo (to hit the nail); clavarlo (to nail it) (to) hit the nail on the head in Swedish: slå huvudet på spiken (to turn your head on the nail). (to) hit the nail on the head in Basque: bete-betean asmatu (fully invented), erdiz erdi asmatu (half invented)
Hot potato
A hot potato = controversial issue or situation which is awkward to deal with, so everybody is trying to avoid it. Catalan: Patata calenta. French: une patate chaude German: heißes Eisen n Spanish: patata caliente
In minute detail
In minute detail: paying careful attention to the smallest details Catalan: amb tots els ets i uts; fil per randa French: dans les moindre détails German: bis ins kleinste Detail Spanish: minuciosamente; con pelos y señales
In the nick of time
In the nick of time = Just in time Catalan: just a temps French: juste-à-temps German: in der allerletzten Sekunde Portuguese: No último instante Spanish: en el último momento
In touch
(to keep) In touch = to be in communication with someone and get up-to-date knowledge Catalan: en contacte French: être/ rester en contact German: mit jdm./etw. in Kontakt stehen Portuguese: em contacto Spanish: en contacto
Itchy feet
Jump on the bandwagon
Let bygones be bygones
Let bygones be bygones = to forget past conflicts and be reconciled. Catalan: fer creu i ratlla. French: Passer l’éponge German: die Vergangenheit ruhen lassen Irish Gaelic: an rud atá thart bíodh sé thart Spanish: pelillos a la mar
Like two peas in a pod
Like two peas in a pod = very similar Catalan: com dues gotes d’aigua French: Comme deux gouttes d’eau German: ein Ei dem anderen Romanian: ca două picături de apă Portuguese: cara de um, focinho de outro Spanish: como dos gotas de agua
Glad to see the back of
(to be) glad to see the back of…= (to) be happy to get rid of someone . Similar to good riddanceCatalan: Bon vent i barca nova French: bon débarras (fr), bon vent (fr) Italian: a mai più rivederci Spanish: a enemigo que huye, puente de plata, Anda, vete por ahi
Not my cup of tea
(It is) Not my cup of tea: used to refer to something that yu don’t like or are not interested in Catalan: No em fa el pes, No és sant de la meva devoció. Chinese (Mandarin): 不是我的菜 (literally, This is not my dish) Czech: 不是我的菜 (literally, This is not my dish). French: C’est (pas) mon truc (literally, it’s not my thing), to say that you don’t like something. The familiar C’est (pas) mon délire (literally, It’s not my delirium) works as well in circles of young friends. Another familiar expression is C’est (pas) mon dada(literally, It’s not my hobby) German: Das ist nicht mein Ding (literally, It is not my thing) Italian: Non è il mio genere (literally, It is not my genre) Japanese: 好みではない (pronounced Konomide wanai, literally, It doesn´t enter my ki) Malay: Bukan bidang aku la (literally, not my field) (Brazilian) Portuguese: Não é minha praia (literally, this is not my beach) Russian: Это не моё / Это не в моём вкусе, pronounced Eto ne moyo / Eto ne v moyom vkuse (Literally: It’s not mine / It’s not to my liking). Spanish: No es santo de mi devotión (literally, He is not a saint of my devotion)
Once in a blue moon
Once in a blue moon = very rarely Catalan: Molt de tant en tant German: alle Jubeljahre einmal French: tous les trente-six du mois German: alle Jubeljahre einmal Spanish: Raras veces, cada muerte de obispo.
On the ball
(to be) On the ball = to be alert, focused Catalan: Estar al cas , alerta French: être éveillé(e), être vif (vive) German: am Ball sein Spanish: estar al loro
To have other fish to fry
Out of the blue
Piece of cake
Piece of cake = very easy Catalan: és bufar i fer ampolles, està tirat, està xupat German: Kinderspiel, Pillepalle, ein Klacks Italian: gioco da ragazzi, una cosa da niente, come bere un bicchier d’acqua, gioco da bambini Portuguese: ser molezaSpanish: está chupado, coser y cantar
Put my two cents
(to) put my two cents / (to) put in my two-penny worth used to preface a tentative statement of one’s opinion Catalan: dir la meva/seva/nostra/vostra French: mes deux cents (my two cents), grain de sel German: seinen Senf dazugeben Spanish: decir algo
Rain buckets
(to) rain buckets, also (to) rain cats and dogs (old-fashioned)= (to) rain heavily Catalan: Ploure a bots i barrals French: pleuvoir des cordes, pleuvoir à verse, pleuvoir des hallebardes, pleuvoir comme vache qui pisse, (Québec) pleuvoir à boire debout, (Belgium) dracher German: German: Bindfäden regnen, in Strömen regnen, aus allen Kannen gießen, aus allen Kannen schütten, es schüttet wie aus Eimern Italian: piovere a catinelle, diluviare, scrosciare, piovere come Dio la manda Portuguese: o céu vir abaixo, chover a cântaros (pt) (Portugal), chover a potes (Portugal), cair um toró (Brazil), chover canivetes (Brazil) Spanish: llover a cántaros Welsh: bwrw hen wragedd â ffyn
There is no silver bullet
French: Il n’y a pas de solution miracle Spanish: No hay solución milagrosa
Sit on the fence
(to) sit on the fence = avoid making decisions or choices; remain neutral Catalan: No decidir-se, ser equidistant, no mullar-se French: ménager la chèvre et le chou German: zwischen den Fronten stehen Portuguese: em cima do muro Spanish: estar indeciso, no mojarse
Steal one’s thunder
(to) steal one’s thunder = To appropriate someone’s ideas, typically in order to be more popular. Catalan: atribuir-se el mèrit French: s’attribuer les mérites Spanish: atribuirse el mérito
Take it easy
(to) Take it easy = Calm down, keep your hair on Catalan: (pren-t’ho amb) calma, trankiChinese (Mandarin): 休息 (zh) (xiūxi) Galician: relaxar German: sich entspannen Portuguese: sossegar Russian: расслабля́ться (ru) impf (rasslabljátʹsja), рассла́биться (ru) pf (rasslábitʹsja) Scottish Gaelic: gabh socair Spanish: (tómatelo con) calma, tranquilo/a, tranki
Under the weather
Under the weather = slightly unwell or in low spirits. Catalan: estar moix , no estar fi/na French: ne pas être dans son assiette Galician: indisposto German: angeschlagen Italian: indisposto Spanish: indispuesto, pachucho.
Up in the air
Up in the air = still to be settled Catalan: en l’aire, el més calent és a l’aigüerta French: être assez vague German: Es ist alles noch offen (literally, Everything is still open) Spanish: en el aire
Walk on eggshells
(to) walk on eggshells: (to) be extremely cautious about one’s words or actions Catalan: Anar amb peus de plom French: Marcher sur des œufs German: wie auf Eiern gehen Spanish: Andarse con cuidado
When pigs fly
When pigs fly: Referencing the unlikelihood that something will ever happen Catalan: Quan les gallines pixin French: Quand les poules auront des dents German: wenn Ostern und Pfingsten auf einen Tag fallen (de) (literally “when Easter and Pentecost fall on the same day”) Italian: quando gli asini voleranno (literally “when donkeys fly”), alle calende greche (literally “on the Greek calends”) Russian: когда́ рак на горе́ сви́стнет (ru) (kogdá rak na goré svístnet, literally “when a crayfish whistles on the mountain”) Spanish: cuando las vacas vuelen; cuando las ranas críen pelo.
This post will be regularly updated with new idioms.
A eschatological yet charming Catalan Christmas tradition
On our traditions section, today we’ll talk about a Catalan log that, believe it or not, poops nougats, candies and toys at Christmas The tió —often popularly called Tió de Nadal (Christmas log) or even Caga tió (“shitting log”, “poo log”), pronounced “Cagga-tee-oh”— is a wooden log with a smiley face painted onto one end. On Christmas Day or, in some households, on Christmas Eve, to make it defecate, one beats the tió with a stick, while singing various songs. After hitting the tió softly with a stick during the song, it is hit harder on the last verse. Then somebody —most typically a kid— puts their hand under the blanket and takes a gift.
Tió song (there are many, here is just an example): shit, log, shit nougats, hazelnuts and mató cheese, if you don’t shit well, I’ll hit you with a stick, shit, log!
Origin of the Poop Log Tió
But where does the Tió tradition come from? This pagan tradition, known as making the Christmas tiópoo (or crap, or shit), has a rural origin and it also exists in some areas of Aragon and Occitania (in the south of France).
The Tió was a trunk that burned in the fireplace and then people spread its ashes because it was thought to have protective properties. Somehow it was a symbol for a change of cycle or, if you like, a change of year. The Tió was thought to represent the sleeping nature in winter, and to be a symbol for its abundance. That is why, when you hit it with a stick, what you are really doing is waking it up, that is to say, you wake up the nature that bountifully gives us its fruits — hence the gift “defecated” by the trunk.
This tradition extended in the 18th and 19th centuries. Then it expanded to the cities. After a few decades, the tradition fell into oblivion, but it strongly returned in the 1960’s. From then on, a face was painted onto one end of the log, a typical Catalan hat called barretina was added, and it was covered with a blanket to keep it cold.
Tocat del Bolet ~ Nuts Catalan culture crossing borders!
It’s not my cup of tea. Definition, examples and equivalents in other languages.
You say that something is not your cup of tea when it is unconvincing or fails to satisfy. It is mostly used in the negative form, but you can also use it in the positive form to say that you like something. An equivalent expression in English is It doesn’t float my boat. You can say it in positive (for instance, Ok, whatever floats your boat) or in the negative form.
Examples
Football is not my cup of tea, but my brother loves it.
Rococo staircases are not my cup of tea.
Hip Hop is much more my cup of tea than techno music.
It is not my cup of tea in other languages.
It is not my cup of tea in Catalan
In Catalan, a very usual and idiomatic equivalent expression for It is not my cup of tea is No em fa el pes (literally, it doesn’t do me the weight) or No m’acaba de fer el pes (literally, It fails to do me the weight). Yeah, we know it sounds weird, but it is quite widespread.
It is not my cup of tea in (Mandarin) Chinese
The equivalent idiom in Mandarin Chinese is 不是我的菜 (literally, This is not my dish).
It is not my cup of tea in Czech
In Czech you can say Není to můj šálek kávy/čaje (literally, It’s not my cup of coffee/tea).
It is not my cup of tea in French
In French, just like in English, you can say Ce n’est pas ma tasse de thé (literally, It is not my cup of tea) or C’est (pas) mon truc (FR) (literally, it’s not my thing), to say that you don’t like something. The familiar C’est (pas) mon délire (literally, It’s not my delirium) works as well in circles of young friends. Another familiar expression is C’est (pas) mon dada (literally, It’s not my hobby), which is older. It works in negative form but is mostly used affirmatively.
It is not my cup of tea in German
In German you can say Das ist nicht mein Ding (literally, It is not my thing).
It is not my cup of tea in Italian
In Italian you can say Non fa per me (literally, it does not do for me). It is very similar to the Catalan expression No fa per mi. Other expressions in Italian you may use to express the same idea are Non è il mio genere (literally, It is not my genre), Non è il mio forte (Informal, literally, It is not my strength), Non è roba per me (colloquial and slightly regional, literally, These are not clothes for me), Non è di mio gradimento (formal, literally, It is not my liking), Non è di mio gusto (formal, literally, It is not of my taste).
It is not my cup of tea in Japanese
In Japanese you can say 好みではない (pronounced Konomide wanai, literally, It doesn´t enter my ki).
It is not my cup of tea in Malay
In Malai language you can say Bukan bidang aku la (literally, not my field).
It is not my cup of tea in (Brazilian) Portuguese
In Brazilian Portuguese the equivalent expression is Não é minha praia (literally, this is not my beach).
It is not my cup of tea in Russian
It is not my cup of tea in Russian is Это не моё / Это не в моём вкусе, pronounced Eto ne moyo / Eto ne v moyom vkuse (Literally: It’s not mine / It’s not to my liking).
It is not my cup of tea in Spanish
In Spanish you may say No es santo de mi devotión (literally, He is not a saint of my devotion) or No es plato de mi gusto (literally, It is not a dish of my taste *).
And that’s pretty much it. Thank you for visiting Nuts (Tocat del Bolet)!
A Pep talk is a short speech intended to make someone or a group of people feel more courageous or enthusiastic.
As many Brits, Catalans and football fans know, the current Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola is known, among other things, for this type of motivational speeches.
Examples
His pep talk and leadership convinced them all.
The coach gave the team a pep talk before the game.
Origin of the expression
As it seems, the word “pep” comes from “pepper”. It has been used in the figurative sense of energy or spirit since 1847. A pep talk is intended to energize someone or a group of people and appeared in 1926. The first written use of the phrase “pep talk” was found in “The Mansfield News”.
More than 25,000 people have already signed up to learn Scottish Gaelic on Duolingo
Madainn mhath! (Welcome!) We have great news: The popular language-learning APP has launched a Scottish Gaelic course created with the help and advise of volunteers across Scotland and more than 25,000 people have already signed up to learn Scottish Gaelic on Duolingo.
This course will probably open up Scottish Gaelic to millions of people in the UK and across the world. So we are over the moon. Tocat del Bolet (Nuts) is committed to the protection of minority —and minoritised— languages and, needless to say, we love Scotland.
Scots Gaelic language, also called Scottish Gaelic, Scots Gaelic or Gàidhlig, is a member of the Goidelic group of Celtic languages. It is currently spoken along the northwest coast of Scotland and in the Hebrides islands. Australia, the United States, and Nova Scotia in Canada are also home to Scots Gaelic communities.
A language involves a way of understanding the world, of relating to one another, of loving and feeling. That’s why Scottish Gaelic, like any other minority language, must be protected and regarded as a cultural treasure.
There is concern about the state of Scots Gaelic. In the 2011 census of Scotland, 57,375 people (only 1.1% of the Scottish population) were reported as able to speak Gaelic, 1,275 fewer than in 2001. It was classed as an indigenous language under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, which the British government has ratified, and the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 established a language-development body, namely, Bòrd na Gàidhlig.
Now Duolingo is contributing to the revival efforts and we would like to thank the popular APP for doing its bit.
So, Scots of the world, unite! Don’t let Scottish Gaelic disappear. We also encourage non-Scottish people to learn this interesting language. As Charlemagne put it, to have another language is to possess a second soul.
Jeepers creepers. Meaning. Examples. Jeepers creepers in other languages.
Meaning
Jeepers Creepers or just jeepers or creepers is an expression of surprise or annoyance derived from Jesus Christ. You use this exclamation especially if there are kids around or you are from the 1950s. It is similar to Darn it!
Examples
Jeepers creepers! He just shot Albert!
Jeepers creepers! He’s done it again!
Jeepers creepers in Catalan
Vatua l’olla! (literally, Oh pot!). Also, Mare de Déu (literally, mother of God) or Alsa Manela (Wow Manela!).
Jeepers creepers in French
In French you can say zut (literally, cursed, although its meaning can vary considerably depending on the context), Mille misères! (literally, athousand miseries!), or even the multi-purpose Merde! “(Literally, shit! ).
Jeepers creepers in German
In German you can use Mensch! (Literally, “man!”), which is an exclamation of surprise.
Jeepers creepers in Italian
In Italian you can say Capperacci (something along the lines of Jeepers creepers or Damn it), or Cavoli! (literally, sprouts!). For example: Capperacci, sober ubriaco! (Jeepers Creepers, I’m drunk!).
Jeepers creepers in Mandarin Chinese
In Mandarin Chinese you can say 哎呀 (pronounced tiān nǎ, āiy ā, which is used to express astonishment and translates literally as oh, God!). For example: 哎呀, 看看 都 几点 了! 我 要 晚 了! (Jeepers creepers! Look at the time! I’m late!).
Jeepers creepers in Portuguese
In Portuguese we can say carpa or eh pá! which are also expressions of surprise or annoyance.
Jeepers creepers in Spanish
In Spanish you can say ¡Córcholis!,¡Recórcholis!,¡Mecachis! ¡Carajo!… And also ¡Caray!O ¡Cásita! For instance: Recórcholis, ¡no hay manera! (Jeepers creepers, there’s no way to do it!).
