Here comes a hilarious true story about my successor in Italy as I tried to COMPLIMENT her!
Marina Dalle Valle had just finished University and she started her 1st job.
So, I had to train her...
YOU'RE A SMART COOKIE! ←click link
Yep, when our boss Dr. Gigi Bagnasco came to check with me, about her ability, she was left out of the conversation as she did not speak English.
Knowing how she felt, I translated to her what I just told Dr. Bagnasco in English, that she picked up rather quickly and she is a smart cookie.
So I turned towards Marina and said in Italian: Marina è un biscotto furbo!
We almost wet our pants from laughing... This was one of those moments where translation is impossible.
Neither can you say in Dutch: Je bent een slim koekje...
But she understood that I only wanted to compliment her in a gracious way, and Dr. Bagnasco was quite pleased with that knowledge; meaning they hired the right person.
Cookie comes from the Dutch word 'koekje,' which means 'little cake.' The first cookie-like 'cakes' were thought to have originated in 7th century Persia, one of the earliest countries where sugar was cultivated.
Smart Cookie
The Cambridge International Dictionary of Idioms says that a smart cookie is 'someone who is clever and good at dealing with difficult situations.' The term 'cookie' may have referred to women as far back as the 1700s, and 'smart cookie' may have been a comment on women's intelligence.
The Cookie Idioms: Smart Cookie, Tough Cookie ←click link
Here Marina is next to me on the right during one of our visits back to Italy, on September 30, 1995.
Happy to see that she did so well!
Wearing my own sewing creation, skirt made from some raw silk. Paired with a silk sweater and a wool Yves Saint Laurent scarf.
She continued the Statistical Process Control that I'd introduced, as a tool for being able to pin-point 'where' in the process of e.g. producing compost, we were 'off'.
Also we used that, for more accurately being able to predict the yield of an incoming 1st break of mushrooms.
If any of the above ingredients were 'off', that already predicted less good quality mushrooms with less piece-weight and thus lower market value.
BUT, Marina my successor was a smart cookie!
Hoping she is still doing well.
Related link:
{Yes; I was at an Yves Saint Laurent Prêt-À-Porter Show in Jakarta!} | previous post by me
Sei brava anche a cucire Mariette!Buona giornata.
ReplyDeleteCara Olga,
DeleteGrazie per le tue parole qui!
Buona sera per te.
Abbracci,
Mariette
Liebe Mariette,
ReplyDeletediese Phrase kannte ich noch gar nicht, wenn ich mir die Bedeutung auch denken konnte aufgrund des Zusammenhangs. Im Deutschen könnte man das so auch nicht sagen, das würde niemand verstehen. Jetzt habe ich wieder was gelernt, bloggen bildet.
Ich wünsche Dir einen guten Start in die neue Woche.
Viele liebe Grüße
Wolfgang
Lieber Wolfgang,
DeleteJa so lange wir leben bilden wir alle! Aufs Deutsch kommt ein schlauer Kuchen auch nicht gut rüber; nur aufs English ist es ein wares Kompliment.
Auch eine gute Oktoberwoche für euch Beide.
Liebe Grüße,
Mariette
Buon inizio settimana.
ReplyDeleteCaro Giancarlo,
DeleteGrazie e altrettanto.
Abbracci,
Mariette
Funny story, Mariette. I'm certainly glad Marina understood the intent of the expression. :-)
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize the slang meaning of "cookie" dated back to the 1920s (or earlier!). Mom always used it a lot, would call me "cookie". I still say it sometimes, will call someone a "tough cookie" to mean resilient and capable. :-)
Dearest Kim,
DeleteThis was such a hilarious situation with loud laughter. Languages can be oh so funny at times.
There is so much Dutch in the language here in the USA from the early Dutch settlers and it has remained.
Hugs,
Mariette
What a great story, Mariette! I enjoyed reading about the origins of our word "cookie" and how it's morphed over time. I've always wondered why we call someone who is bright a smart cookie, and now I know.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Dearest Martha Jane,
DeleteThank you and it was an absolute hilarious story but so well meant in complimenting Marina.
So now you know the full meaning of a smart cookie!
Hugs,
Mariette
Funny memory;-)
ReplyDeleteDearest Anne,
DeleteA real funny one and we laughed so hard at the time; but happy moments.
Hugs,
Mariette
Hello Mariette, One of the joys of mixing languages is when it doesn't quite work out, as with your "smart cookie" example. In Chinese, it is very dangerous either to look up words in the dictionary (sometimes they give obsolete forms), or to use English patterns with Chinese words, yet I am often forced to attempt this. The results are often ludicrously wrong, yet over the years I have managed to get most of what I wanted. Also, the local people understand and never blame you for bad Chinese--they are happy you are trying at all, not always the case with Americans tolerating foreign accents or new speakers!
ReplyDelete--Jim
Dearest Jim,
DeleteYou are so right about that and it can indeed cause many bloopers. Some are hilarious and others not so...
But as in your case, you show the locals that you're willing at meeting them half way and that is always much appreciated!
There are still too many Americans that have no clue about speaking and 'living' another language/culture! Languages should be taught and spoken more to widen their horizon.
Hugs,
Mariette
Me alegro mucho de esa nueva adquisición. Muy divertida la anécdota que has contado.
ReplyDeleteBesos
Querida Antónia,
DeleteTuve que compartir esto ya que fue muy divertido de hecho. Hablando varios idiomas puedes encontrarte con esos momentos...
Abrazos,
Mariette
You are both smart cookies.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Dearest Victor,
DeleteThank you, at least you know the language...!
Hugs,
Mariette
I enjoyed the story, Mariette. Haha!
ReplyDeleteYou couldn't say that in Malay either - biskut pandai! LOL!
Dearest Veronica,
DeleteNope, that again would sound hilarious and sure would not be understood as a compliment.
Hugs,
Mariette
That is so funny! My parents were teachers and used to use that saying a lot... but it sounds like some things can definitely get lost in translation! So hilarious! :)
ReplyDeleteDearest Heidi,
DeleteThank you and for sure your parents knew its true meaning. Humor almost always gets lost in any translation and so did my compliment in Italian... Hilarious indeed.
Hugs,
Mariette
A nice laugh
ReplyDeleteDearest Jo-Anne,
DeleteYes, a laugh we never ever will forget!
Hugs,
Mariette
You should write a book of your personal adventures. :D Blessings and hugs to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteDearest Darla,
DeleteThank you but our stories are mainly in this blog...
Hugs,
Mariette