Ei gente, tudo joia?

Today I have selected a couple of expressions for you related to different nationalities and places. Vamos ver?

1. Para inglês ver – So the English can see

 

• This expression is used to refer to laws or rules that are not abided by, it only exists on paper. It is also used to refer to things that appear to be good but have no real use.
• Exemplo:

A construção dessa rodovia é só para inglês ver, não vai melhorar o problema de trânsito pesado na cidade. – This construction of this road is for the English to see, it is not going to improve the problems with heavy traffic in the city.

 

• Origem: There are different theories for how this expression started being used, the most accepted is that the expression has its origins in the 19^th century, when the English demanded that slavery was abolished in Brazil, threatening to cut funds for the production of coffee. Brazil then created laws to abolish slavery, which existed only on paper. This way slavery went on in Brazil for a few more years and the English were happy with the laws created.

 

 

2. Falar grego – speak Greek

• Used when someone is saying something you cannot understand.
• Exemplo:

Eu não entendo nada da aula de matemática, parece que a professora está falando grego. – I can’t understand anything in maths class, it sounds like Greek to me.

 

• Origem: this expression most likely came from the English expression “that’s Greek to me”.

 

 

3. Sair à francesa – to leave somewhere in a French way

• To leave without saying goodbye or being noticed.
• Exemplo:

Eduardo saiu à Francesa, não deu tchau a ninguém. – Eduardo left without saying goodbye to anyone.

 

• Origem: no one knows exactly where this expression comes from. However, one of the theories is that it was first used in the Seven Years War, when it was said that it was common for French soldiers to leave their posts without telling anyone.

 

 

4. Quem tem boca vai a Roma – literally who has a mouth can get to Rome.

• This expression is used to say you will get to where you want to go if you ask for information.
• Exemplo:

Não consigo encontrar a loja que estou procurando, vou perguntar para alguém, pois quem tem boca vai a Roma. – I cannot find the shop I am looking for, I might ask someone, “who has a mouth can get to Rome”

 

• Origem: some people believe the original to the expression was “Quem tem boca vaia Roma” instead, which translated as “who has a mouth boos Rome”. Even though there is no way of knowing which one is the correct one, nowadays people use “Quem tem boca vai a Roma”, Rome being the place where people would want to get to.

 

See you guys next week!