The following are some of the winners in a New York magazine contest, in which the rules were: take ANY well-known phrase in ANY foreign language, change JUST ONE SINGLE LETTER, and then provide a definition for the new expression.
HARLEZ-VOUS FRANCAIS? – Can you drive a French motorcycle?
EX POST FUCTO – Lost in the mail
IDIOS AMIGOS – We’re wild and crazy guys
VENI, VIPI, VICI – I came, I’m a very important person, I conquered
COGITO, EGGO SUM – I think, therefore I waffle
RIGOR MORRIS – The cat is dead
RESPONDEZ S’IL VOUS PLAID – Honk if you’re Scottish
QUE SERA SERF – Life is feudal
LE ROI EST MORT, JIVE LE ROI – The king is dead. No kidding
POSH MORTEM – Death styles of the rich and famous
PRO BOZO PUBLICO – Support your local clown
MONAGE A TROIS – I am three years old
FELIX NAVIDAD – Our cat has a boat
HASTE CUISINE – Fast French food
VENI, VIDI, VICE – I came, I saw, I partied
QUIP PRO QUO – A fast retort
ALOHA OY – Love; greetings, farewell; from such a pain you should never know
MAZEL TON – Tons of good luck
APRES MOE LE DELUGE – Curly and Larry got wet
PORT-KOCHERE – Sacramental wine
ICH LIEBE RICH – I’m really crazy about having dough
FUI GENERIS – What’s mine is mine
VISA LA FRANCE – Don’t leave your chateau without it
CA VA SANS DIRT – And that’s not gossip
MERCI RIEN – Thanks for nothin’
AMICUS PURIAE – Platonic friend
Thanks to Cheri for this one!