Thursday, June 19, 2008

Capita Turciensis

Recently - I was just reading the last chapter of The Bastard of Istanbul - I heard Tetrapilotomos chuckle, which induced following dialogue:

Yes?

Blimey, no wonder there's a steady increase of population in Turkey.

What are you busy with, Tetrapilotomos?

Merowinger time.

I see. And what does this have to do with the population growth in Turkey?

Do you know what aureum caput regni means?

Golden head of the imperium, or so?

Not bad. And caput orbis?

Head of the world.

Not bad. And what's a colloquial German word for broken?

Kaputt. Spelled with one t less in English it means a) utterly finished, defeated, or destroyed and b) unable to function.

Not bad. And do you know what a condom is being called in Turkish.

No idea.

Kaput.

13 comments:

  1. I will admit that I needed to read this story several times before I understood.

    When I finally did comprehend, I did have a good laugh.

    Full admiration to Tetrapilotomos.
    :)

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  2. Jams,
    go raibh míle maith agat. :)

    Ardent,
    indeed, wondrous are Tetrapilotomos' paths of thinking. :)
    The more he'll be pleased by your compliment.

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  3. Thanks for a good laugh Sean. You do have a very unique way of making a point.

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  4. jmb,
    it's a pleasure for my inner eyes and ears to see and hear you laughing.

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  5. I always thought it had one "t". Alles klar.

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  6. I was almost sure you would pick this, James. :)

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  7. Kaput = Kapot (Dutch), we are so 'close' Sean..)

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  8. Ha ha, Hans!

    Seriously: Isn't it an amazing realm, the realm of languages?

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  9. Gosh, Welshcakes,
    how could I not reply on yours?! But now:
    To learn I made your day made my day. :)

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  10. Ah Sir Sean - I'm way behind in commenting - forgive me please.
    I nearly gagged on my coffee when reading this - how funny!

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  11. Lady Janice,
    the Canadian summer is too short to spoil it with writing comments. :)
    Enjoy every day, and once when feeling cold, it awaits you a warm welcome.

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