June 14, 2005

"Stoppen Sie, sich zu stoßen! Warum stoßen Sie sich?" is German for "Stop poking yourself! Why are you poking yourself?"

Headline that just appeared in my inbox:

US Suspects 'Face Torture Overseas'

When oh when will we finally wipe out the global scourge of face torture?

Posted by Francis at 01:07 PM
Comments

Ah, the scourge of amphiboly. Only too well do I know its sting.

Posted by: Sophist at June 15, 2005 05:22 PM

Weeeell, German of sorts anyhoo. There shouldn't be a comma, and I can't say I have EVER heard anybody use that expression.
Stossen, btw, is not poking. It's bumping, ramming.
cheers

Posted by: steff at June 17, 2005 06:35 AM

I should have said it was "Google German".

Posted by: Francis at June 17, 2005 08:34 AM