Re: It sucks!
| From: | John Cowan <jcowan@...> |
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| Date: | Wednesday, June 20, 2001, 15:01 |
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Christophe Grandsire wrote:
> It reminds me of a Dutch expression. When something has been only half-done, not
> finished and yet left like that, they say it has been done "in the French way".
> I wish I could contradict them on that :( .
There are a whole set of English derogations involving "French" or "Dutch":
e.g. "to take French leave", which means to leave without saying
goodbye, and "Dutch courage", which is the kind of courage you get
from alcohol.
The old slang term for a condom was "French letter"; until 1914,
the French returned the compliment with "capote anglaise", but in that
year it was changed to "capote allemande"!
--
There is / one art || John Cowan <jcowan@...>
no more / no less || http://www.reutershealth.com
to do / all things || http://www.ccil.org/~cowan
with art- / lessness \\ -- Piet Hein
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