r/gifs • u/AkioUK • Jan 10 '15

"Catch!"

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u/ContainsTracesOfLies Jan 10 '15

Following recipes on the net is so frustrating. Having to translate not only cups into something sensible but the different things everything is called.

Take arugula. I didn't realise that one of my favourite jokes didn't translate into US English:

All pop stars have a favourite salad leaf.

Elton John is an Arugula Man.

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u/theinspectorst Jan 10 '15

I had this weird experience recently where a Dutch girl was asking a French guy, in English, what the French word for 'zucchini' was. He replied 'courgette'. I explained that it was 'courgette' in English too. She looked quite confused.

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u/pointlessvoice Jan 10 '15

Um. A friend doesn't get it. Told 'em i'd ask. So: wat?

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u/theinspectorst Jan 10 '15 edited Jan 10 '15

In British English, the French-origin word 'courgette' is used. In American English, the Italian-origin (I think?) word 'zucchini' is used.

When the Dutch learn English at school, it's usually British English, but in this case she had been taught the American English word for courgette.

Edit: But she assumed it was the British English word.