"raden" wrote in message
...

Years ago I was a technical translator in Germany, and had to render
English into German for Ford-Werke. Boy, some of the English technical
writing (for workshop manuals) was so hard to get right and make it
sound right in German. Once we had to hire a freelance translator
(German) who knew nothing about cars. She translated rocker shaft as
'kippende Welle',

Doh, everyone knows it's a Meekdschaggerschwanz



Extract from ;Letters to the Editor' (Whitbread News) for Set. 1972

Lighthearted glossary of motoring terms in Anglicised German to co-incide
with Britain's entry into the Common Market:

Exhaust Pipe Das spitzenpoppenangentuben



Speedometer Der Egobooster und
Lineschootin-backerupen



Air Horns Der Vhatderhellyouat
Klaxonfanfaren



Puncture Das Pflatt mit Dammunblasten



Learner Driver Dumbkopff mit Elplatz



G.T. Der Egovagi mit Dumbkopfblonde



Estate car Der Schonogginwagen mit
Bagzeroomfurrompininderbac



Petrol Das Kislijooze fur
Genningreezoffendentrousen



Motor Club Der Meetinghause fur
Wagennatterinelbawraisin und Choddenupziebirds



Windscreen Wipers Das Flippenfloppenmuckschpreddun und
schticken



Crossroads Das Kussundschverringstrassen



Level Crossing Die Flattenbitunpuffpuff tracken



Low Bridge Das Makengrossenbus in Singeldekker



Gear Lever Ds Kangeroohpenbicken schticke