Work snippet

[mousme]

This whole exchange took place in French. I've translated for the benefit of readers who don't speak the language.


Skinny!Admin: "Hey, mousme, you're good in English, right?"

Me: "Yes. What's the problem?"

Skinny!Admin: "There's a few words in this letter I don't understand. Can you translate for me?"

Me: "Sure. What's causing you trouble?"

Skinny!Admin: "What does 'bona fide' mean in English?"

Me: >_<


She was highly indignant when I told her it was Latin. Apparently it offended her sense of propriety that not only was she expected to know English to do her job, but that she was also expected to know a few basic expressions in Latin to boot. This was the summum of annoyance for her (look! More Latin!), and she complained bitterly for about ten minutes after that.

I swear, I can't make this shit up.

Comments

[mhw.livejournal.com]

Tell her it's an expression meaning 'a bribe', literally 'a bone for Fido'.

Some people just don't deserve our efforts.

[mousme.livejournal.com]

It's not her fault: she's only really good at one thing in her job, and is otherwise kind of dim. Very nice, though. Just, well, dumb.

[griffen.livejournal.com]

That needs to be reposted to mock_the_stupid.

*dies laughing*

[mousme.livejournal.com]

Be my guest. :)

[griffen.livejournal.com]

Argh, apparently they have a new policy: no mocking poor English skills if the person's native language is something else. *sigh* Oh well. It's still funny, hon.

[mousme.livejournal.com]

Technically, her ignorance was about Latin, not English, but I take your point. Wouldn't want to be all insensitive about the poor girl's failings. ;)