# Change a foreign phrase to make a new one

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/change-a-foreign-phrase-to-make-a-new-one/947228>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [July 25, 2021, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/change-a-foreign-phrase-to-make-a-new-one/947228 "2021-07-25T00:02:54Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2021, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/change-a-foreign-phrase-to-make-a-new-one/947228/1 "2021-07-25T00:02:54Z")

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The goal of this thread is to take a non-English phrase, then change it slightly to make a new one.

For example:  
Halter ego: Conceited woman in the club

Squid quo pro: Calamari purchase

Cogito ergo slum: Designing cheap housing

Ahoy polloi: Sailors are welcome

Bond mot: So Q, what have you got for me?

A la cartel: Expensive weekend gas

Souse-chef: A little wine made it into the dish

Pierce de resistance: Error inserting nose ring

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**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2021, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/change-a-foreign-phrase-to-make-a-new-one/947228/2 "2021-07-25T00:55:53Z")

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Sick transit glorious Monday: I can’t wait to show off my new car at work

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**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2021, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/change-a-foreign-phrase-to-make-a-new-one/947228/3 "2021-07-25T18:59:16Z")

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This has the makings for a good thread game.

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**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2021, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/change-a-foreign-phrase-to-make-a-new-one/947228/4 "2021-07-25T20:42:20Z")

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Maybe this idea had been done already?

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**Author:** ![Nyvaak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Nyvaak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nyvaak)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2021, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/change-a-foreign-phrase-to-make-a-new-one/947228/5 "2021-07-25T20:54:40Z")

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Mone,mone tekel upharsin: shoot 'em down, turn around, come on Belshazzar.

Erie go bragh: this canal goes on forever

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**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2021, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/change-a-foreign-phrase-to-make-a-new-one/947228/6 "2021-07-25T21:08:00Z")

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“Cashiers du Cinnamon,” but they’ll ring up your nutmeg too.

“Res ipsa locator:” the thing speaks for itself, but it still makes sense to chip it too.

“Mirren Aries Attigi:” British actress of a certain age has touched the wall.

(regional, not foreign) “bisexual:” what a Southern prostitute says.