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[–] 11 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (3 children)

I remember the Czech word Pozor. It means "Attention" and is seen everywhere on all sorts of signage.

In Russian, however (and possibly other slavic languages), it means shame/disgrace.

I'm sure there were jokes about it when Russians were the invaders, but can't remember any.


Then there's Finnish/Estonian

Finnish Estonian
Hallitus Government Mold
Maasika Earth-pig (not a thing) Strawberry
Maasikapirukas Earth-pig devil Strawberry cake
Piim(ä) Buttermilk/sourmilk Milk
Kalju Bald Rock

But my favorite is "nahkhiir", which means leather (nahk[a]) mouse (hiir[i]), i.e. a bat. (in Finnish it would be nahkahiiri, but bats are called lepakko)
Batman is consequently called Nahkhiirmees in Estonian, i.e. Leathermouseman.

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  • [–] 4 points 7 months ago (2 children)

    Funny cause caillou is bald but means rock in French

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  • [–] 1 point 7 months ago (1 child)

    You mean it means both bald AND rock in French?

    It's not really surprising. The differences between Finnish/Estonian are usually small shifts in development. E.g. kallio means rock in Finnish - not too far from kalju. And it's easy to see why such a word could mean both.

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