March 1, 2009: It's Greek to Me!

Clodfobble · 02-28-2009, 10:30 PM

Did you know that the expression "it was Greek to me" was first coined by Shakespeare? Yep, Julius Caesar, Act I, Scene 2. But what do the Greeks say, when they find something to be incomprehensible? Well, turns out they have expressions that indicate something is either "Arabic" or "Chinese." But what idioms do those cultures use as the pinnacle of confusing nonsense? Wait, wait, this could get complicated. Let's make a chart. Or rather, let's just look at one that someone else already made, posted on Strange Maps.

Looks like we're not alone; five other languages reference Greek. The most universally-confusing language is apparently Chinese, with eleven languages deferring to its incomprehensibility. And the only language the Chinese think is beyond them? Oh, just the language of God.

xoxoxoBruce · 03-01-2009, 12:26 AM

I wonder why the Russians get two arrows to Chinese?
It's interesting the Chinese, with half the world pointing at them, only point to "Heavenly Script". Guess they think everyone else is scrutable.

Kolbenfresser · 03-01-2009, 04:32 AM

Since Germany is not mentionend at all, I suppose there is nothing incomprehensible for us at all :-)
And don't bug me with alternative interpretations.
By the way, I personally like to refer to Portuguese and Polish.

DanaC · 03-01-2009, 05:22 AM

How the hell is German missing from that map? lol

Lovely idea though

I like that the two end points are Heavenly Script and Hindi.

apropos of nothing: i wish I could remember the words, but as a youngling I was rocked with a Hindi lullaby.

Trilby · 03-01-2009, 08:22 AM

Where's Navajo?

Gravdigr · 03-01-2009, 05:13 PM

No Sanskrit? Where is Sanskrit?? The Sanskritians (Sanskrites?) are gonna be pissed.

Beestie · 03-01-2009, 05:19 PM

Well, if you can understand German then you can understand pretty much anything.

monster · 03-01-2009, 05:19 PM

English should have an arrow to Dutch too. Cool idea for a map, though

TheMercenary · 03-01-2009, 05:36 PM

And what about those Galic speakers. I think it is racism.

newtimer · 03-01-2009, 06:57 PM

Oh.
At first glance, I thought this was a chart showing what kind of restaurant different peoples prefer when they go out to eat.

That would explain why there are so many Chinese restaurants in the world, but not many English or Croatian restaurants.

Gravdigr · 03-02-2009, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newtimer

That would explain why there are so many Chinese restaurants in the world, but not many English or Croatian restaurants.

England - not necessarily known for gourmet cooking.

Pie · 03-01-2009, 09:39 PM

How about Xhosa, one of the African "click" languages?

ZenGum · 03-01-2009, 09:51 PM

Whole thing looks double dutch to me.

ferret88 · 03-01-2009, 10:39 PM

Y'all are missing the point.

<snip>Did you know that the expression "it was Greek to me" was first coined by Shakespeare? <edit> But what do the Greeks say, when they find something to be incomprehensible? Well, turns out they have expressions that indicate something is either "Arabic" or "Chinese." But what idioms do those cultures use as the pinnacle of confusing nonsense?<snip>

The map is not a map of language relationships. It is a map of what idiom is used by speakers of one language when referring to incomprehensible language.

xoxoxoBruce · 03-01-2009, 10:48 PM

Mmmmm idioms.

Salt & pepper, bacon wrap, parsley, lightly broiled. Delicious.

02-28-2009, 10:30 PM	#1
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	March 1, 2009: It's Greek to Me! Did you know that the expression "it was Greek to me" was first coined by Shakespeare? Yep, Julius Caesar, Act I, Scene 2. But what do the Greeks say, when they find something to be incomprehensible? Well, turns out they have expressions that indicate something is either "Arabic" or "Chinese." But what idioms do those cultures use as the pinnacle of confusing nonsense? Wait, wait, this could get complicated. Let's make a chart. Or rather, let's just look at one that someone else already made, posted on Strange Maps. Looks like we're not alone; five other languages reference Greek. The most universally-confusing language is apparently Chinese, with eleven languages deferring to its incomprehensibility. And the only language the Chinese think is beyond them? Oh, just the language of God. __________________ My book My other book My spirit animal

03-01-2009, 12:26 AM	#2
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	I wonder why the Russians get two arrows to Chinese? It's interesting the Chinese, with half the world pointing at them, only point to "Heavenly Script". Guess they think everyone else is scrutable. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

03-01-2009, 04:32 AM	#3
Kolbenfresser Wiseacre Emeritus Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Good old Germany Posts: 35	German? Since Germany is not mentionend at all, I suppose there is nothing incomprehensible for us at all :-) And don't bug me with alternative interpretations. By the way, I personally like to refer to Portuguese and Polish. __________________ In cauda venenum.

03-01-2009, 08:22 AM	#5
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	Where's Navajo? __________________ In Barrie's play and novel, the roles of fairies are brief: they are allies to the Lost Boys, the source of fairy dust and ...They are portrayed as dangerous, whimsical and extremely clever but quite hedonistic. "Shall I give you a kiss?" Peter asked and, jerking an acorn button off his coat, solemnly presented it to her. —James Barrie Wimminfolk they be tricksy. - ZenGum

03-01-2009, 05:13 PM	#6
Gravdigr The Un-Tuckian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: South Central...KY that is Posts: 39,517	No Sanskrit? Where is Sanskrit?? The Sanskritians (Sanskrites?) are gonna be pissed. __________________ These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, EPA, FBI, DEA, CDC, or FDIC. These statements are not intended to diagnose, cause, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you feel you have been harmed/offended by, or, disagree with any of the above statements or images, please feel free to fuck right off.

03-01-2009, 05:22 AM	#4
DanaC We have to go back, Kate! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 25,964	How the hell is German missing from that map? lol Lovely idea though I like that the two end points are Heavenly Script and Hindi. apropos of nothing: i wish I could remember the words, but as a youngling I was rocked with a Hindi lullaby.

03-01-2009, 05:19 PM	#7
Beestie -◊\|≡·∙■·∙≡\|◊- Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Parts unknown. Posts: 4,081	Well, if you can understand German then you can understand pretty much anything. __________________ ♠ ♥ ♣ ♦

03-01-2009, 05:19 PM	#8
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	English should have an arrow to Dutch too. Cool idea for a map, though __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

03-01-2009, 05:36 PM	#9
TheMercenary “Hypocrisy: prejudice with a halo” Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Savannah, Georgia Posts: 21,393	And what about those Galic speakers. I think it is racism. __________________ Anyone but the this most fuked up President in History in 2012!

03-01-2009, 06:57 PM	#10
newtimer Operations Operative Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 479	Oh. At first glance, I thought this was a chart showing what kind of restaurant different peoples prefer when they go out to eat. That would explain why there are so many Chinese restaurants in the world, but not many English or Croatian restaurants.

03-01-2009, 09:39 PM	#12
Pie Gone and done Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 4,808	How about Xhosa, one of the African "click" languages? __________________ per·son \ˈpər-sən\ (noun) - an ephemeral collection of small, irrational decisions The fun thing about evolution (and science in general) is that it happens whether you believe in it or not.

03-01-2009, 09:51 PM	#13
ZenGum Doctor Wtf Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Badelaide, Baustralia Posts: 12,861	Whole thing looks double dutch to me. __________________ Shut up and hug. MoreThanPretty, Nov 5, 2008. Just because I'm nominally polite, does not make me a pussy. Sundae Girl.

03-01-2009, 10:39 PM	#14
ferret88 (This space left intentionally UN-blank.) Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 604	Y'all are missing the point. <snip>Did you know that the expression "it was Greek to me" was first coined by Shakespeare? <edit> But what do the Greeks say, when they find something to be incomprehensible? Well, turns out they have expressions that indicate something is either "Arabic" or "Chinese." But what idioms do those cultures use as the pinnacle of confusing nonsense?<snip> The map is not a map of language relationships. It is a map of what idiom is used by speakers of one language when referring to incomprehensible language.

03-01-2009, 10:48 PM	#15
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Mmmmm idioms. Salt & pepper, bacon wrap, parsley, lightly broiled. Delicious. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

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