I was talking to friends last evening and of course we got into politics, and the state of affairs in France, and how bad the economy was getting everywhere, when one friend said, “In France we have an expression that goes like this.”
“Quand l’Amérique éternue, la France a la grippe.”
“When America sneezes, France has a cold.”
However, the expression has now changed to fit the EU, so many say:
“Lorsque l’Amérique éternue, l’Europe s’enrhume.”
“When America sneezes, Europe gets a cold.”
Another expression meaning more or less the same thing, but in a more humorous way is:
“Quand l’Amérique pète, l’Europe sent mauvais!”
“When America farts, Europe smells bad!”
Perhaps other countries have a similar expression….?!
Maya Muses: Another expression that comes to mind and fits the times and these sayings. “Misery loves company.”
Photo Credits: Flickr
2 responses so far ↓
1 Mia // Oct 27, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Hmmm…
Thats why the bad smell,I was wondering where it came from?
And why can’t we change that expression to:
“Happiness loves company”..????
Because there is a lot of happiness in the world too,and love, and we Do share good things…
Don’t we?
2 Lynn // Oct 27, 2008 at 10:57 pm
Yep! We’re the guilty ones! LOL!!!
I do think happiness loves company. I think happy people like to make other people happy, and on it goes. A simple smile can make another person happy and they in turn smile to someone else….
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