Although Flemish is not the only language spoken in Belgium, it has a wealth of diverse dialects which have created some unique expressions. When literally translated into English, these expressions often yield unexpected and hilarious results.
Send your cat
Meaning: Don’t show up
Helaas pindakaas
Unfortunately peanut butter
Meaning: That’s a shame
Forward with the goat
Meaning: Let’s get on with it
Ik snap er geen bal van
I don’t understand a ball of it
Meaning: I don’t understand a word of it
Make that the cat wise
Meaning: You can’t fool me, but you can try and fool the cat
Je stinkt uren in de wind
You smell hours in the wind
Meaning: You smell very bad
To hang on someone’s lips
Meaning: That you’re completely engrossed in what someone is saying
Er was geen kat
There wasn’t even a cat
Meaning: Nobody showed up
To throw your cap at it
Meaning: That you don’t care
Als puntje bij paaltje komt
When the point comes to the pole
Meaning: When push comes to shove
That goes from a slate roof
Meaning: Things are running smoothly
Daar heeft hij geen kaas van gegeten
He hasn’t eaten any cheese from that
Meaning: He doesn’t understand it
This’ll frog you up
Meaning: This will make you feel better
By Stephanie Benoit