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I read the original and his style is impressionistic where he'll readily exaggerate something for effect. I'm French from France and these exaggerations put me
by xutopia 13y ago
I read the original and his style is impressionistic where he'll readily exaggerate something for effect. I'm French from France and these exaggerations put me in trouble here in Quebec where people are way more literal.
I'll give you a few example: "Can I steal this from you?" => "I'm certain you are OK with me borrowing this for 2 minutes.". "Buy enough beer for 3 dozen people" => "We're 6 but we really want to have a good time."
- dwild 13y agoI live in Quebec and I'm not that literal. In fact your first example is funny because I just realized that I always say "steal" when I want to borrow something.
- gruseom 13y agoI heard that idiom in English just a few days ago. One friend asked another, "Can I steal that book for a minute?" The other replied, "Yes, let me just hide it first." It stuck in my mind because I don't think I've heard that usage of "steal" very often, or that degree of quick-wittedness among my friends!