Nationality Idioms
The world is becoming more globalized every day. We know several languages, we travel a lot, we work and communicate with people of different nationalities.
And here are 10 idioms and natural English expressions which use the names of nationalities and ethnicities. Some of them are really funny. But use them carefully in the name of tolerance.
Chinese whispers
When a story is told from person to person, especially if it is gossip or scandal, it inevitably gets distorted and exaggerated. This process is called Chinese whispers.
Перевод: испорченный телефон.
Пример: Your whole history, it's just Chinese whispers.
To take French leave To take French leave is to leave a gathering without saying goodbye or without permission.
Перевод: уйти по-английски, не попрощавшись.
Пример: As the evening wore on, we decided to just take French leave and make our way home.
Greek to me If you don't understand something, it's all Greek to you.
Перевод: китайская грамота,
Пример: When it comes to calculus, it's all Greek to me.
Walk Spanish If you walk someone Spanish, you physically force them to leave a place or discharge them.
Перевод: перен. помочь найти выход, выкинуть кого-то откуда-то, выгнать.
Пример: They walked him Spanish.
Sell ice to Eskimos
To persuade people to go against their best interests or to accept something unnecessary or preposterous.
Перевод: продавать снег зимой.
Пример: He's such a smooth talker, he could sell ice to Eskimos.
Double Dutch If something is double Dutch, it is completely incomprehensible.
Перевод: китайская грамота, тарабарщина.
Пример: Stop speaking double Dutch!
Dutch uncle A Dutch uncle is a person who gives unwelcome advice.
Перевод: человек, который даёт резкие советы, считая себя чьим-либо родственником.
Пример: He acts more like a Dutch uncle than a husband. He’s forever telling her what to do in public.
Too many chiefs and not enough Indians When there are too many chiefs and not enough Indians, there are two many managers and not enough workers to work efficiently.
Перевод: Слишком много командиров, да некому работать.
Пример: There are too many chiefs and not enough Indians in this agency.
Indian giver An Indian giver gives something, then tries to take it back.
Перевод: человек, который дарит подарок, а потом хочет забрать его назад или получить подарок в ответ.
Пример: Sorry to be an Indian giver, but I was here first.
Indian summer If there is a period of warmer weather in late autumn, it is an Indian summer.
Перевод: бабье лето.
Пример: Perhaps in the Indian summer we'll meet once more.
Сравните: употребление идиомы в значении "поздняя любовь" встречается в рассказе О`Генри "Бабье лето Джонсона Сухого Лога" ("The Indian Summer Of Dry Valley Johnson").
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