A Canadian from London, Ontario told me this.

He was talking to a French Canadian from Quebec. They were standing near a harbor. There were seals swimming out near the breakwater. At this point, the fellow from Ontario explains that the French word for seal is phaque (rhymes with duck). The French Canadian says to him, "Look at those phaques swimming out there." After about two seconds, both Canadians are doubled over laughing.

H. C.

The word is phoque

quote:

Originally posted by bobby van der Putten:

The word is phoque

What did ya expect for an American, they have a hard enough time with English.

quote:

Originally posted by cobra:

quote:

Originally posted by bobby van der Putten:

The word is phoque

What did ya expect for an American, they have a hard enough time with English.

We were both drinking quite a lot when he told me. It probably affected the fellow's speech, and I misunderstood him as a consequence of that. You're lucky I remembered it at all .

In the last 8 or so years, I've taught half a dozen Americans how to mis-spell "seal" in French. Now I know.

H. C.

A restaurant in Amsterdam just off Canal Street in the 1960's was called "Wynand Focking."