A New York magazine recently ran a contest.
The rules were to take any well-known phrase in a foreign language, change just a single letter, and then provide a definition for the new expression.
Here are some of the winners:
- HARLEZ VOUS FRANCAIS?: Can you drive a French motorcycle?
- IDIOS AMIGOS: We're wild and crazy guys.
- COGITO, EGGO SUM: I think. Therefore, I am a waffle.
- RIGOR MORRIS: The cat is dead.
- REPONDEZ S'IL VOUS PLAID: Honk if you are Scottish.
- QUE SERA SERF: Life is feudal.
- LE ROI EST MORT. JIVE LE ROI: The king is dead. No kidding.
- POSH MORTEM: Death styles of the rich and famous.
- VENI, VIPI, VICI: I came. I am a very important person. I conquered.
- PRO BOZO PUBLICO: Support your local clown.
- FELIX NAVIDAD: Our cat has a boat.
- HASTE CUISINE: Fast French food.
- VENI, VIDI, VICE: I came, I saw, I partied.
- QUIP PRO QUO: A fast retort.
- ALOHA OY: Love, greetings and farewell from such a pain you should never know.
- MAZEL TON: Tons of good luck.
- APRES MOE LE DELUGE: Curly and Larry got wet.
- ICH LIBERICH: I'm really crazy about having dough.
- FUI GENERIS: What's mine is mine.
- VISA LA FRANCE: Don't leave your chateau without it.
- CA VA SANS DIRT: And that's not gossip.
- BUN JOUR: The daily special at the bakery.
- BAN JOUR: The daily special of the League of Decency.
- BEN JOUR: Charlton Heston's cousin.