# Evocative expressions in other languages **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 14, 2000, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evocative-expressions-in-other-languages/22398 "2000-06-14T21:18:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2000, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evocative-expressions-in-other-languages/22398/21 "2000-06-15T16:03:36Z")
I’ve always wondered why the Germans have the word Doppelgangler (I think that’s right).Meeting your exact double. WHY WOULD YOU HAVE A WORD FOR IT? Is that a common, everyday occurence in Germany? ---
**Author:** ![Elthia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e274bd/32.png) [@Elthia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elthia)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2000, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evocative-expressions-in-other-languages/22398/22 "2000-06-15T16:42:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*\* > > In Australian, they are called **crutch crickets** 😃 > \*\* This is why I’m prejudiced. Damn it, I try so hard NOT to be biased by country of origin, but I fucking love Aussies. It’s the biting wit. It’s gotta be. Something wicked in the eyes… _sigh_ (yah, they’re all rangers, they just don’t know it yet, that’s what it is _wicked grin_) -Elthia ack, I haven’t eaten. That must explain my penchant for spewing my unconscious all over the board 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2000, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evocative-expressions-in-other-languages/22398/23 "2000-06-16T05:25:42Z")
The French equivalent of “he’s pushing up daisies” is “Il mange les fleurs par les racines.” (“He’s eating flowers by the roots.”) As an interesting commentary on the relations between the French and the English over the centuries, note that the English have the expression “He’s taken French leave,” meaning he’s left without permission. The French equivalent is the expression “Filer à l’anglaise.” In other words, both countries attribute unreliability to the other nationality. ---
**Author:** ![aviddiva](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a88e57/32.png) [@aviddiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aviddiva)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2000, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evocative-expressions-in-other-languages/22398/24 "2000-06-16T06:44:18Z")
I’ll have to describe this one rather than spell it out, but this is one of my favourite expressions in American Sign Language: With your left hand, make the sign of a bull (thumb holding down middle and ring fingers, index and pinky up and slightly crooked). Point that image to your right, making your forearm cross your chest. Now take your right arm (yes, leave the mouse for now), and place it under your left arm so that your left hand is above your right elbow and your right hand is below your left elbow. Are you with me? You should have a three sides of a square in front of you, with your forearms stacked left (index and pinky up) over right. Now with the right hand flick your fingers out sharply with your thumb, as if you’re flicking water off your fingers. That is “bullshit”. Do it sharply, quickly, for greater expressiveness, forearms slapping together a split second before you flick with your right hand (It doesn’t matter which hand performs which function. It’s just easier to explain if you keep it consistent). ---
**Author:** ![capybara](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/capybara/32/202_2.png) [@capybara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/capybara)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2000, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evocative-expressions-in-other-languages/22398/25 "2000-06-16T16:19:05Z")
Coldfire, Lance DOES have a Schwantz, he just is missing a Hode oder zwei… You Dutch and your crazy ideas about medicine. My favorite German term-- ins Arsch kriechen-- to crawl into somebody’s ass (to bootlick/ grovel/ ass-kiss). Archkriecherei. Love it. (pardon my grammar) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evocative-expressions-in-other-languages/22398.md?page=1)