For Bored Panda Members Only, Join Our Weekly Newsletter

Yes, subscribe me to Bored Panda Weekly Newsletter!

Join the Fun!

Join 1.2 million Panda readers who get the best art, memes, and fun stories every week!

P.S. It's 100% free, unsubscribe anytime.

Thank you!

You're on the list! Expect to receive your first email very soon!

Bored Panda is Even Better on the App!

Stay Updated with Real-Time Notifications

Instant Access via Homescreen Tap

Simple Interface - Even Your Cat Can Use It!

Get it now Skip to the website

Mats Iversen

Community Member

Mats Iversen

Community Member

Follow (31) Unfollow

2 posts

16 comments

289 upvotes

431 points

I like languages and drawing insta:@BadNorwegianTranslations

Follow (31) Unfollow

Overview
Posts
List Additions
Comments
Upvotes
My Pandas

Mats Iversen • commented on 5 posts 3 years ago

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

I think it might be because horses generally was used for work and not riding in Norway, but I'm not 100% sure.

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

The term is from the 1950s. In those times people (et least in Norway) any object that you could put something in was slang for women private parts. Common used words in Norway was: "taske (bag)", "Dåse (can/pill box), "Skrin (box).

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

Yup. Or "Dimwit", "numbskull" maybe

Show All 5 Comments

Mats Iversen • upvoted 34 items 3 years ago

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

I honestly all make sense to me, and yes I'm American. I especially like that they have one involving Texas.... but in USA Florida is the axis of crazy. Lol

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

Sounds like a great insult

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

I honestly all make sense to me, and yes I'm American. I especially like that they have one involving Texas.... but in USA Florida is the axis of crazy. Lol

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

Sounds like a great insult

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

I like this, can we get more with other languages featured?

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

Funny lump :p

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

These are fun. I rarely think about the stuff we actually say in Norwegian :p du er en morroklump ;P

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

finally found an idiom that represents me!

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

This is was a wonderfully fun (and educative) post! Working in the linguistics field, I always enjoy posts about idioms, bizarre translations, and etymology. Thank you for sharing.

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

Homer Simpson anyone?

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

"De koffer induiken" is a saying in Dutch wich translates to something like "jumping/diving in the suitecase". It actually means sleeping with someone.

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

The Norwegian one means "owls in the moss", while the original Danish one means "wolves in the bog".

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

Thick, thicko, thick-skulled, thick as two short planks, couldn't think your way out of a damp paper bag, bird-brained, pea-brained, lack-wit, empty headed, air-head, the lights are on but nobody's home, Trump.

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

Cardboard head, pahvipää is used in Finnish language.

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

If it came from Danish, then it's a bog, not moss. Source: Be Danish. Mos = moss, but mose = bog. Mosen = The bog.

Art

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

Same in Croatian, medvjeđa usluga

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

Good for you! Is your goal 1000? It's too bad more young people don't love reading as much as you. Maybe you'll be writing them some day 🙂

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

It's the same in Serbian

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

Like the English term "book worm"!

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

I definitely prefer the term potato. "Pig" hits too close to home, especially when I'm covered in crumbs LOL

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

So like a bookworm.

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

Excellent saying!

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

English also have a idiom: "Clothes Horse " for people who have lots of clothes

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

I read the Game of Thrones series (quite difficult reads I must say) over the weekend.

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

My mother always called us "hard heads" or Gabadost. I still use both.

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

This shows what Norwegians think of Texas!

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

This is me!

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

Remember what road is paved with good intentions!

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

These are all great! The English language needs to adopt at least some of these. Why not? English has been grabbing words and idioms from other tongues for centuries.

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

American English: pussy-whipped.

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

That is so on the nose sometimes tho...

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

In the uk, it's 'tell tale tit', snitch or grass

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

What's the logic behind this saying? Does the person want to put their partner's clothes into a suitcase?

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

In the UK, you could say 'the wife wears the trousers' or the husband is 'hen pecked'

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

I read “War and Peace” in 45 minutes. It’s about Russia.

Show All 34 Upvotes

Mats Iversen • submitted a new post 3 years ago

Art

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

Mats Iversen • submitted a new post 3 years ago

Art

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

Mats Iversen • submitted a new post 4 years ago

Art

40 Brilliantly Literal Norwegian Words That Say Exactly What They Mean Illustrated By Me

Mats Iversen • submitted 16 list additions 3 years ago

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

Mats Iversen • submitted 4 list additions 4 years ago

40 Brilliantly Literal Norwegian Words That Say Exactly What They Mean Illustrated By Me

Mats Iversen • commented on 9 posts 3 years ago

40 Times People Were Confused By The English Language

Youse?

40 Times People Were Confused By The English Language

Don’t you hate it when you read read as read when you meant to read read as read and not read so you have to reread it so you read it as read and not read?

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

I think it might be because horses generally was used for work and not riding in Norway, but I'm not 100% sure.

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

Yup. Or "Dimwit", "numbskull" maybe

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

Yep. We say "said the bride" in Norwegian

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

Hahaha

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

Yup, it comes from the danish "Wolves in the moss". I don't know how it became "Owls" in Norwegian, but maybe because danish is impossible to understand :D

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

I come from Trondheim which is in the middle part of Norway. It is a common term used here, but I think it is used more places in Norway as well

Mats Iversen • commented on 7 posts 4 years ago

40 Brilliantly Literal Norwegian Words That Say Exactly What They Mean Illustrated By Me

The English probably got that from French as well, but didn’t bother with the spelling

40 Brilliantly Literal Norwegian Words That Say Exactly What They Mean Illustrated By Me

I don’t know, but in Norwegian we would use the same name for both. We just don’t can’t be bothered to count that many legs 😬

40 Brilliantly Literal Norwegian Words That Say Exactly What They Mean Illustrated By Me

Cool. I did not know that.

40 Brilliantly Literal Norwegian Words That Say Exactly What They Mean Illustrated By Me

We actually use the same word for both squids, octopuses and cuttlefish.

40 Brilliantly Literal Norwegian Words That Say Exactly What They Mean Illustrated By Me

Upon till recently they were called the same, but the name has been changed to a more gender neutral “Helsesykepleier” which would translate to “health nurse”

40 Brilliantly Literal Norwegian Words That Say Exactly What They Mean Illustrated By Me

“Burned” would be “brent” in Norwegian, while “burning” is “brenne”. Therefore “burning wine”, but yeah; burning would be more “correct”. The account is just for fun/humor so I often use the most silly direct translation 😊

40 Brilliantly Literal Norwegian Words That Say Exactly What They Mean Illustrated By Me

The account is called BadNorwegianTranslations, so it is purposely bad. “Rister” can mean both shaker and toaster in Norwegian

Mats Iversen • upvoted 20 items 3 years ago

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

I like this, can we get more with other languages featured?

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

I honestly all make sense to me, and yes I'm American. I especially like that they have one involving Texas.... but in USA Florida is the axis of crazy. Lol

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

Funny lump :p

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

Sounds like a great insult

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

If it came from Danish, then it's a bog, not moss. Source: Be Danish. Mos = moss, but mose = bog. Mosen = The bog.

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

"De koffer induiken" is a saying in Dutch wich translates to something like "jumping/diving in the suitecase". It actually means sleeping with someone.

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

These are fun. I rarely think about the stuff we actually say in Norwegian :p du er en morroklump ;P

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

This is was a wonderfully fun (and educative) post! Working in the linguistics field, I always enjoy posts about idioms, bizarre translations, and etymology. Thank you for sharing.

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

finally found an idiom that represents me!

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

Homer Simpson anyone?

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

The Norwegian one means "owls in the moss", while the original Danish one means "wolves in the bog".

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

Cardboard head, pahvipää is used in Finnish language.

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

These are all great! The English language needs to adopt at least some of these. Why not? English has been grabbing words and idioms from other tongues for centuries.

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

In the uk, it's 'tell tale tit', snitch or grass

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

In the UK, you could say 'the wife wears the trousers' or the husband is 'hen pecked'

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

American English: pussy-whipped.

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

What's the logic behind this saying? Does the person want to put their partner's clothes into a suitcase?

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

People like this are so annoying

I Illustrate Norwegian-To-English Idiom Translations To Show How Weird They Can Be To Non-Native Speakers (16 Pics)

Excellent saying!

This Panda hasn't followed anyone yet

Mats Iversen • 31 followers

joyhitz

Community Member

bringyourdog

Community Member

markmutai

Community Member

cwinters

Community Member

sonicsupa99

Community Member

beckie-fischer

Community Member

weam

Community Member

dariopopovic3

Community Member

jounda

Community Member

diannabluntzer

Community Member

grandslamdenny

Community Member

giraffey01

Community Member

azpasakravi

Community Member

alexaranzola

Community Member

switchgear48

Community Member

abphoto

Community Member

y-lolayeva

Community Member

bdautotech

Community Member

darkydoomed

Community Member

middhunt

Community Member

sam71

Community Member

dspayne1

Community Member

pakuka

Community Member

bridgettmaddux

Community Member

sbecky990

Community Member

Disgusting Sehun

Community Member

Gumiho4258

Community Member

°CORLEONE°

Community Member

Depression Chicken

Community Member

angie but who cares

Community Member

Contact Bored Panda

If you have an urgent matter, you should contact the Bored Panda staff via our contact form. Please select the type of your inquiry:

General Inquiry

Report Post

Removal Request

Contact Mats Iversen directly: Email:

Points 431 Top 5% overall

User Submissions

Hey Pandas, Post Your Christmas Tree

0comments 19 points

Hey Pandas, What's Your Christmas Looking Like?

3replies 20 points

30 Illustrations Exploring The Devastating Impact Of Hurricane Helene Drawn By This Artist

4comments 30 points

We Reviewed Thousands Of Wedding Photos, And These Are The Top 40 Of 2024

5comments 22 points

39 Delightfully Cheeky Illustrations Drawn By This Artist

5comments 26 points

48 Cozy Paintings By A Plein-Air Artist, Angela Sung

0comments 27 points

Hey Pandas, AITA For Feeling Like My Health Needs Aren’t Being Met By My Partner?

23comments 19 points

Stunning Underwater Photography Of Marine Life By Rachel Moore (42 Pics)

4comments 50 points

Hey Pandas, What Is Your Favorite Christmas Tradition?

29replies 19 points

Hey Pandas, AITA For Arguing That Our Daughter Should Come First This Christmas?

12comments 10 points

Around the web

Plane crashes into hill just moments after taking off from UK airport

Liam Payne’s Girlfriend Gets Heartbreaking Angel Wings Tattoo 2 Months After His Passing

Stranger Donates Life-Saving Bone Marrow to Pilot. 8 Years Later, He's on Her Flight — and the Moment Goes Viral

Flight passenger goes viral for revealing how crew member 'saved' her with hack to relieve 'airplane ear'

"Genius" Mom Books Hotel Room To Wrap Christmas Gifts In Peace