Words

There are some words outside of the english language that when translated literally into English, more accurately describe what they are than the actual english word for the item.

Example:

yaabba(thai word for amphetamines)

literal translation: crazy medicine

Any others.

 

Firewater: native american for alcohol





Hotwater

 

Makes me think of Agua Ardiente, which is an alcoholic drink. I believe from Mexico.

Agua = Water

Ardiente = Burning

 

not exactly a translation...but Ive always thought this stuff was aptly named



Newfie Screech

 

Those names are definitely more descriptive


Hotwater

 

Vodka is often called "tough water" in Russia. It's not exactly what you're looking for, but I've always liked that...tough water.

 

eau de vie

 

Alcoholism is a ridiculous curse.

 

I'll drink to that.

 

I just drank to that.

 

so your saying that when you hear a translation of a word to english it becomes more clear to you, the english speaking person....,thats because the english translations come from the english ..it would not make sense to call yabba something like...strong tea..it wouldnt be accurrate translations are supposed to be accurate

 

I have a funny feeling that you may smoke a little too much for your own good.What I meant was that the word yaabba when translated into english seems to give a clearer explanation of what amphetamine is, that the word amphetamine does. Make sense?

 

that was the yabba talkin

 

i cannot think of anything, likely because english is the ultimate language.

 

I understood you completely.

 

You're a smart girl and should know better.

 

*sigh* you're right. german is cool too.

 

Uisge Beathe, pronounced oosh k'bay, is the old gaelic word for whisky, which when translated literally means "water of life".

 

I've encountered these words myself but now that I have to think about them from the top of my head I of course can't think of any.