My first thread, so a subject that combines two of my favourite interests: foreign language and silliness.
I was reminded of this when I saw the "True-Life Dame Vera Adventure" in VIZ no.189 where Dame Vera Lynn is secretly substituted for Geoff Hurst in the 1966 World Cup after his half-time orange has been injected with Nazi poison.
The German goalkeeper has let in a goal in to Geoff Hurst at 19 minutes and says "Donner und Blitzen! Ich bin as sick as ein Grossewellensittich" (approx: big-a da budgerigar)
Then we have the Freudian complexes similar to (making one up) der Ichbininmeinerunterhosenmitteninderstrassenamhelllichtenentagenunddermädchenvonderschulengehenvorbeiundlachenphobien which generally approximately means something (in this case, iaminmyunderpantsinthemiddleoftheroadinbroaddaylightandthegirlsfromtheschoolpassbyandlaughphobia ).
Then we have "Krissmüs mit den Bacons", in which Fatha Bacon gives Biffa a huge gift-wrapped present big enough for Mutha to be inside and Biffa says (bowdlerised) "Vatta, Sie müsse zinken ich bin ein right prattendaften. Meine Mutta ist in da, und sie springt aus und hoofen meine groinische"...
(The German is fairly (though not totally!) accurate, so much so I first wrote "und sie springen out"...)
As a German speaker, I find this hilarious. I imagine the number of German speakers around is dwindling, as I continually read that schools are dropping the subject since it is possible to fail. What must the average VIZ reader make of it? Surely a series of funny long words. Even the words the Nazi concentration camp guards use in the Victor are now something surely only the older generation will recognise.
How do these brilliant jokes come about?
