twenty-something years of "what have you been up to?"

russian encounters

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Da Darlink! Many Russians speak pretty good English. As with any foreign language, they sometimes make innocent but comical errors (as we do when we speak Russian). And some expressions are quotable. Just like when Stefan was playing a charades game (Catch Phrase – not for 7 year olds) and said he couldn't act out "sex apple" (sex appeal) because he didn't even know what it means! Here are a few gems along with; "You are pushing my leg!"

– "small by small" (little by little).
– "please to help!"
– "The glass ceiling falls on house of cards."
– "He's always shooting from the hips!"
– "Go down next isle and follow smells."
– "My Betty-button hurts" (belly-button).
– "Of course I know about confidentiality. When you verk for big oil: You talk. YOU DIE!"

And my latest favorite: "Because bureaucracy demands it!"

Comments

4 responses to “russian encounters”

  1. MoscowMom Avatar
    MoscowMom

    So funny! A friend posted some great ones on her blog recently, too.. Her son was injured and thought he might need crutches– and he asked if he’d need “caskets”! Uh, NO!!!!

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  2. MamaLana Avatar
    MamaLana

    Remember that old San Francisco Russian who announced one day that he invited his date out to dinner, and she order “crap salad.”

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  3. mc Avatar
    mc

    I still remember Peter and I as kids at one of the many Russian parties, running around on a sugar high (those chocolate orange sticks, mmm). One of the Russians yelling at use to “cut it off!” (cut it out). Which made us laugh harder and him madder.
    As I get older I’m exposed less and less to this older Russian generation, I miss it so much, I cherish it.
    My sister inerprets Russian and Polish on the phone, she always has funny stories.

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  4. Mom Avatar
    Mom

    Great pictures of Stefan without a front tooth, also st. Petersberg.
    it must be great for you Peter to walk the historial walk of your ancestors. It is a wonder you guys didn;t freeze on some of those walks.

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