The following are winners in a New York Magazine contest in which contestants were asked to take a well-known expression in a foreign language, change a single letter, and provide a definition for the new expression.
HARLEZ-VOUS FRANCAIS? – Can you drive a French motorcycle?
EX POST FUCTO – Lost in the mail
IDIOS AMIGOS – We’re wild and crazy guys!
VENI, VIPI, VICI – I came; I’m a very important person; I conquered
J’Y SUIS, J’Y PESTES – I can stay for the weekend
COGITO EGGO SUM – I think; therefore, I am a waffle
RIGOR MORRIS – The cat is dead
RESPONDEZ S’IL VOUS PLAID – Honk if you’re Scots
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
ALOHA OY – Love; greetings; farewell; from such a pain you should never know
MAZEL TON – Lots of luck
APRES MOE LE DELUGE – Larry and Curly get wet
PORTE-KOCHERE – Sacramental wine
ICH LIEBE RICH – I’m really crazy about having dough
FUI GENERIS – What’s mine is mine
VISA LA FRANCE – Don’t leave chateau without it
VENI VIDI VISA – I came, I saw, I bought
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
L’ETAT, C’EST MOE – All the world’s a stooge
