The following were winners in a New York Magazine contest in which contestants were to take a well-known expression in a foreign language, change a single letter and provide a definition for the new expression. As you will note, there are winners and losers on this list; as the French might say, Mom dieu, holy mother of god.
HARLEZ-VOUS FRANCAIS? - can you drive a French motorcycle?
EX POST FUCTO - Lost in the mail
IDIOS AMIGOS - We're wild and crazy guys!
COGITO EGGO SUUM - I think, therefore I am a waffle.
RIGOR MORRIS - The cat is dead.
RESPONDEZ S'IL VOUS PLAID - Honk if you're Scottish.
QUE SERA SERF - Life is feudal
LE ROI EST MORT. JIVE LE ROI - The king is dead - No kidding!
POSH MORTEM - Death styles of the rich and famous.
PRO BOZO PUBLICO - Support your local clown.
MONAGE A TROIS - I am three years old.
FELIX NAVIDAD - Our cat has a boat.
HASTE CUISINE - Fast French food.
VENI, VIDI, VICE - I came, I saw, I partied.
QUIP PRO QUO - A fast retort.
MAZEL TON - Tons of luck
APRES MOE LE DELUGE - Larry and Curly got wet.
ICH LIEBE RICH - I'm really crazy about having dough.
FUI GENERIS - What's mine is mine.
VISA LA FRANCE - Don't leave your chateau without it.
CA VA SANS DIRT - And that's not gossip.
MERCI RIEN - Thanks for nothin!
AMICUS PURIAE - Platonic friend.
L'ETAT, C'EST MOO - I'm bossy around here.
COGITO, ERGO SPUD - I think, therefore I Yam.
Alicia Bessette Associate Editor, Bryn Mawr Alumnae Bulletin 101 North Merion Ave Bryn Mawr PA 19010 www.brynmawr.edu/Alumnae/bulletin (610) 526-5232 Tel (610) 526-5228 Fax