# Familiar Phrases explained — English as She Is Spoke

> Chapter companion for English as She Is Spoke by Pedro Carolino.

## What happens

A collection of English phrases as translated by Senhor Pedro Carolino, filled with humorous errors and linguistic absurdities. The phrases cover everyday situations such as dining, dressing, weather, health, and social interactions, showcasing the author's misunderstanding of English idioms and grammar.

## Themes in this chapter

### Linguistic Absurdity

The chapter is a prime example of linguistic absurdity, with nonsensical translations like 'These apricots and these peaches make me and to come water in mouth' and 'This ink is white.'

### Humor in Error

The errors in phrasing and word choice create unintentional humor, such as 'He burns one’s self the brains' and 'I dead myself in envy to see her.'

### Cultural Misunderstanding

The phrases reveal a deep misunderstanding of English idioms and cultural norms, e.g., 'He laughs at my nose, he jest by me' and 'I have put my stockings outward.'

## Character check-ins

### Unknown Narrator

The narrator presents the phrases without personal involvement, acting as a compiler.

### Senhor Pedro Carolino

Implied author of the phrasebook, whose errors in translation and grammar are evident throughout.

### John

Referenced in the phrase 'Dress my horse' and possibly in other domestic contexts.

## Key lines

> These apricots and these peaches make me and to come water in mouth.

These apricots and peaches make my mouth water.

_The intended idiom 'makes my mouth water' is garbled into a literal and awkward construction._

> He laughs at my nose, he jest by me.

He laughs in my face, he mocks me.

_The phrase confuses the idiom 'laugh in one's face' with a literal reference to the nose._

> I dead myself in envy to see her.

I am dying of envy to see her.

_The reflexive 'dead myself' is a grammatical error, and the intended meaning is extreme jealousy or longing._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/english_as_she_is_spoke_se/chapters/familiar-phrases
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/english_as_she_is_spoke_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/english_as_she_is_spoke_se/chapters