ODD: We’ve all heard sayings like “Not my circus, not my monkeys,” but have you ever wondered what they say in other countries? That saying, for example, is Polish.

“Swallowing camels while straining at gnats” is a Swedish phrase, which means to ignore big things while worrying about little ones.

“To have tomatoes on your eyes” is a German phrase meaning someone is oblivious to what is right in front of them.

“To slide in on a shrimp sandwich” is a fun Swedish phrase, meaning someone who has it too easy. Another fun Swedish phrase is “There is no cow on the ice,” which means everything is fine, there’s no reason to worry.

There’s an Arabic phrase “to have long hands,” which means a thief, or someone who takes something that isn’t theirs.

A Spanish phrase “to give someone pumpkins” means to reject them romantically.

Any guesses on what it might mean to “jump from the rooster to the donkey?” In French, it means changing subjects abruptly in a conversation.

In German, “to buy a cat in a sack” means being tricked into buying something you can’t see.

Well that’s “as clear as dumpling broth,” as the Russian saying goes. It means that something is murky or unclear.

In Australia, “to have a face like a dropped pie” means someone not conventionally attractive.

Some are variations of phrases used in America, like we would say “when pigs fly,” but the French would say “when the chickens have teeth.” 

To be “pleased as Punch” is a phrase we’ve heard used in the U.S, but never knew the Punch referred to was the puppet of Punch and Judy fame.