Weird Idioms in Other Languages

Idioms are one of the quirkiest and most fascinating aspects of any language. They reflect the culture, humor, and imagination of the people who speak it. While English speakers might say "raining cats and dogs," other cultures have their own colorful expressions that sound downright bizarre when translated literally. Here's a tour through some of the weirdest idioms in other languages—and what they actually mean.

"To have the midday demon" – French (Avoir le démon de midi)

Meaning: To experience a midlife crisis.
Why it's weird: It sounds like someone is being haunted by a supernatural force at lunchtime. In reality, it refers to the existential dread or impulsive behavior some people experience in middle age—essentially, the French version of buying a sports car or taking up skydiving.

"Not my circus, not my monkeys" – Polish (Nie mój cyrk, nie moje małpy)

Meaning: Not my problem.
Why it's weird: It conjures the image of someone walking away from an actual circus disaster involving monkeys on the loose. It's a colorful way to say, "I'm not getting involved in that mess."

"To tie a bear" – Russian (Связать медведя)

Meaning: To get very drunk.
Why it's weird: Wrestling or tying up a bear sounds heroic or suicidal, not like something someone would do after five shots of vodka. But in Russian slang, it's one of many animal-related idioms that reflect a cultural love of vivid metaphor.

"To have the cockroach" – French (Avoir le cafard)

Meaning: To feel down or depressed.
Why it's weird: Having a cockroach doesn't sound like an emotional issue—it sounds like a pest control problem. But in French, the cockroach is a metaphor for melancholy, possibly because of its association with darkness and decay.

"To slide in on a shrimp sandwich" – Swedish (Glida in på en räkmacka)

Meaning: To have it easy or benefit from privilege.
Why it's weird: The image of sliding into success on a sandwich is odd enough—but the fact that it's specifically a shrimp sandwich makes it even more uniquely Swedish (where shrimp sandwiches are considered fancy). It's used to describe someone who didn't have to work hard for their success.

"The cat's jumping" – German (Da liegt der Hund begraben)

Literal translation: There lies the dog buried.
Meaning: That's the heart of the matter.
Why it's weird: You expect some insight, but all you get is a mysterious buried dog. The idiom expresses that something hidden or puzzling is at the root of a situation, though why a dead dog became the metaphor is still debated.

"To give someone pumpkins" – Spanish (Dar calabazas a alguien)

Meaning: To reject someone romantically.
Why it's weird: Giving someone pumpkins sounds like a harvest gift, not heartbreak. But in Spanish-speaking countries, this means turning down a suitor—perhaps a nod to the disappointment of getting gourds instead of affection.

"Jumping from the cock to the donkey" – French (Sauter du coq à l'âne)

Meaning: To change topics abruptly or make a non-sequitur.
Why it's weird: The image is comical—a wild leap between two completely unrelated animals. It captures the feeling of a conversation taking a sudden, illogical turn.

"To ride as the fifth wheel on the wagon" – German (Das fünfte Rad am Wagen sein)

Meaning: To be unnecessary or out of place.
Why it's weird: A fifth wheel might be useful in some circumstances, but in the context of a four-wheeled wagon, it's clearly redundant. It's the German way of saying someone is the odd one out.

"To break the cow on the ice" – Norwegian (Å brekke kua på isen)

Meaning: To get things started or to break the tension.
Why it's weird: Cows and ice are rarely a good combination, but Norwegians use this frosty farming metaphor to talk about breaking the ice, literally and figuratively.

Final Thoughts

Idioms might not make much sense when translated word for word, but they offer a humorous and enlightening glimpse into the way different cultures see the world. From shrimp sandwiches in Sweden to circuses in Poland, idioms are proof that language isn't just a tool—it's a treasure trove of human creativity.

Want to sound like a local or just make your friends laugh? Try slipping one of these into your next conversation—but maybe explain it first.