The following were winners in a New York Magazine contest in which
contestants were to take a well-known expression in a foreign language,
change a single letter, and provide a definition for the new expression.
HARLEZ-VOUS FRANCAIS? — Can you drive a French motorcycle?
IDIOS AMIGOS — We’re wild and crazy guys]
VENI, VIPI, VICI — I came, I’m a very important person, I conquered.
RIGOR MORRIS — The cat is dead.
FELIX NAVIDAD — Our cat has a boat.
RESPONDEZ S’IL VOUS PLAID — Honk if you’re 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
PRO BOZO PUBLICO — Support your local clown.
HASTE CUISINE — Fast French food
MAZEL TON — Tons of luck
APRES MOE LE DELUGE — Larry and Curly also got wet.
VISA LA FRANCE — Don’t leave your chateau without it.
L’ETAT, C’EST MOO — I’m bossy around here.
COGITO EGGO SUM — I think; therefore I am a waffle.
~~
Answers to Friday’s Word’s at Play 5
1. Handyman = JACK of all trades
2. Broken Crown = JACK and Jill
3. Classic Dive = JACKknife
4. Win Big = Hit the JACKpot
5. Hard Cider = Apple JACK
6. Fat Wife = JACK Sprat
7. Toy (singular) = JACK in the box (not “jacks” or “jackstraws”)
8. Paul Bunyan = LumberJACK
9. British Emblem = Union ACK
10. Exceptionally Adept = CrackerJACK
11. Fast-starting Hare = JACK rabbit
12. Quick and Nimble = JACK and the candlestick
13. Late Autumn Visitor = JACK FROST
14. Christmas Pie = Little JACK Horner
15. Very Tight Garment = StraightJACKET
16. Hand-held Rock Drill = JACK hammer
17. Warm-up Exercise = Jumping JACK
18. Golden Egg = JACK and the beanstalk
19. Religious Plant = JACK in the pulpit
20. Pancake = Flap JACK
Bonus: 21 = Black JACK
~~
Dr Bob Griffin, www.grif.net
1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given