Funny\weird expressions in your language

[Universe]

Why Czech? Is there an explanation behind it?

I read it is because Czechs were impoverished and starved during thirty years war (1618-1648). It's not often used though.

[Cybele]

I read it is because Czechs were impoverished and starved during thirty years war (1618-1648). It's not often used though.

Interesting one, thanks!

[cakmir7y]

If something is completely unknown/incomprehensible to us, we say: "It's a Spanish village to me!"

Funny fact: in the same situation Germans say: "It's a Czech village to me!"

Just choose one you prefer...

[Kriptc06]

Contar com o ovo no cú da galinha

"Count with the egg in the chicken's ass"

To take something for granted

[Aldaris]

If something is completely unknown/incomprehensible to us, we say: "It's a Spanish village to me!"

Funny fact: in the same situation Germans say: "It's a Czech village to me!"

Just choose one you prefer...

Yeah, we do say that. It's always funny to me for the obvious reasons.

[rothaer]

If something is completely unknown/incomprehensible to us, we say: "It's a Spanish village to me!"

Funny fact: in the same situation Germans say: "It's a Czech village to me!"

Just choose one you prefer...

Yes, in German is said "Das sind böhmische Dörfer für mich." ("That are Bohemian villages to me.") to express something not understandable. The background of this is clear: After the Slavic etymology is unknown to Germans, it's very hard to recall Czech village names that sometimes even are pretty long. And on the other hand Germans were confronted with this as Bohemia was inmidst of the HRE, kind of.

To express that something is strange you can say in German "Das kommt mir spanisch vor." ("This seems Spanish to me."). The background is that the Habsburgs once married into the Spanish royal house and in that (I don't recall what individuals were involved) context the Spanish spouse moved to Vienna. It was then carried out one or another Spanish court ritual in Vienna, which was completely unknown to the HRE locals. So whenever something seemed strange it was assumed that it was likely a Spanish ritual.

I wonder whether your Czech reference to Spanish not has the same origin. Why otherwise Spanish?

[cakmir7y]

Yes, in German is said "Das sind böhmische Dörfer für mich." ("That are Bohemian villages to me.") to express something not understandable. The background of this is clear: After the Slavic etymology is unknown to Germans, it's very hard to recall Czech village names that sometimes even are pretty long. And on the other hand Germans were confronted with this as Bohemia was inmidst of the HRE, kind of.

To express that something is strange you can say in German "Das kommt mir spanisch vor." ("This seems Spanish to me."). The background is that the Habsburgs once married into the Spanish royal house and in that (I don't recall what individuals were involved) context the Spanish spouse moved to Vienna. It was then carried out one or another Spanish court ritual in Vienna, which was completely unknown to the HRE locals. So whenever something seemed strange it was assumed that it was likely a Spanish ritual.

I wonder whether your Czech reference to Spanish not has the same origin. Why otherwise Spanish?

I consulted some reliable sources and the origin of this saying is connected with the aversion to the spanish customs
that Habsburgs (a lot of them grow up at Spanish court) started to locally implement after they became Bohemian rulers (1526).

[rothaer]

I consulted some reliable sources and the origin of this saying is connected with the aversion to the spanish customs
that Habsburgs (a lot of them grow up at Spanish court) started to locally implement after they became Bohemian rulers (1526).

Yeah, so a commonly felt alienation towards that cultural Iberian import. ;-)

[Ellethwyn]

I always thought 'Spill the beans' was a funny expression. It means to reveal information that was meant to be kept secret.

[Atlantic Reptilian]

"En het potatis"
translated = "A hot potato"

It means a difficult subject (that people don't want to talk about)