Hence the revolution
July 7, 2008
I was explaining to my devushka what Royal Ascot was. In my perfect russian it went something like this…
“It’s a spectacle where horses race, the devushki wear big hats and it is watched by the cow”.
One syllable in russian makes such a difference. There goes my knighthood; i’ll stick to spying.
Well at least I am making progress on ordering water with gas; I am up to a 50% success rate, which goes higher when I just say Perrier.
July 8, 2008 at 4:48 am
YEAH!
I am so happy that you have resumed posting in your blog! I’m off to read your posts.
September 20, 2008 at 1:54 pm
This is hilarious! -to those who know how close are the two words, *Queen* (kor-ol-EV-a) and *cow* (kor-OV-a) in Russian.
I have made the same mistake myself and left kids in absolute stitches. Happened that two young ladies from the children’s home were once spending the weekend with me. In a little drama at the orphanage the previous day, it happens that one of them had been a fairy and the other a princess. Well, walking along the sidewalk one balmy afternoon with my young buddies I was overwhelmed with the privilege of it all. . . and how to express that.
I grew effusive – in a way – and (meant to have said) said “Life is so good: I have a princess! I have a fairy! and I myself am a Queen.” That’s Almost what I said and in response, they screamed with laughter. Because I had really said, “and I am a cow” as I took a low bow.
Enjoyed your post!
November 24, 2008 at 12:40 pm
hey mark you have vanished,,, i hope you resume your posts,,,am in kharkov i have been here for almost 2 months ; and i need help. i have managed to locate good coffee now i am in dire need of a smoothie can you or anybody for that matter help , an actuall frutie creamy frozen smoothie , i sound like a pregnant women with a craving lolz
cant wait to read further posts
thnx….afnan