Yesterday the car wouldn’t start. Several months back, we replaced the catalytic converter (at no small expense). While explaining to the mechanic the recent history of the car, I was reminded that mom mistakenly called the catalytic converter the “cadillac converter” (since she came to America in her mid-twenties without knowing very much english at all, she often made amusing translation mistakes) – as if there were some piece of of the engine that would magically convert our minivan into an Escalade at the turn of a gear. I was also reminded that she thought that our mechanic was named “Lube,” because he did oil changes/lube jobs. After at least a decade of knowing him, she noticed that his name tag said “Rube” and came home and said to me, “Oh, I always thought “lube” was spelled “L-U-B-E.” So I said, “It IS.” And she said, “No it’s not, it’s spelled with an “R”.” After much confusion, it was finally established that “Rube” is a person’s name short for “Reuben” and that it was just a coincidence it was similar to “lube”. And also settled the nagging question as to why I was discussing lube with my mom.
On the way to the auto shop, we had to pass by the old Pizza Hut – it is the Pizza Hut no longer, but maintains the patented Pizza Hut profile – which mom called “Pizza Hat” for 20 years. I thought it was just a mispronunciation until one day she noticed the spelling and despaired at why it was shaped like a hat if it was supposed to be a hut.
In college, mom would write me letters full of delightful turns of phrase that I would pass around to friends for amusement. I don’t think she appreciated it (I hate to say) but it endeared her to everyone. It became standard to refer to anything fast as “running, running, ace running” and to sigh heavily and say, “You know, after you turn twenty, life goes like a crazy belt.”
I’m glad I have all these gems to keep me company, and every day I’m reminded of something else. I only despair at the many many wonderful things she said that I have forgotten.
She is profoundly missed, but ever-present.
:)
For the record, “running, running, ace running” lives on in our household as well. The Krazy Karrots recipe, however, does not.
I, too, use “running, running, ace running,” though it usually garners some strange looks. :) And your mom was right, life certainly does go “like a crazy belt.”
A big hug to you all.
This reminds me of a dear family friend; now departed, who would turn similar phrases. She quite innocently brought unexpected levity to mundane topics. The only one I can recall at the moment was her use of a “segregated” knife to cut bread. I smile to think of her now. I am glad you are left with a treasure of memories, and are wise enough to work at preserving them. I think we measure our wealth by the quantity and quality of our friends and memories; all else are but gossamer phantoms, seemingly important but becoming less and less substantial the more familiar they become. When you write about your mum, I wish that I had known her.
I remember confusion regarding the term ‘condominium’ back in the mid-80s.
*squeeze*
Sam – Krazy Karrots was a specialty of Bob’s. Though he has had some doozies in the memorable-turns-of-phrase department, I truly think he revels in the memorializing of his favorite dish at the Baxter Dining Hall. It might even be a highlight.
Stella – for those not in the know, Mom spent an entire evening at a lovely dinner party at Stella’s house discussing “condoms.” Thanks for reminding me. That was one of those ones I had forgotten. Classic.
*sniff*. I love these stories. My mother, also not a native English speaker, has her own ways of messing up phrases..but as an indication of her poor social wiring, most of the translations that come out of her mouth aren’t fit for print. Thanks for continuing to share these stories Robbi.
Thanks for sharing this, Robbie. The stories, and the photo, are such a testament to family.
English must be a real challenge as a second language. I often find it so, and I grew up with it. Yesterday, I asked the shopkeeper at a yarn store if she could help me find a certain “fingerling” yarn. I didn’t even realize what I’d said wrong until she giggled and mentioned potatoes.
Translation needed here, please. I don’t get the “running” reference. And is it “crazy belt” as in bat out of hell?
Clare – the “running” reference is simply that she once used the phrase “running, running, ace running” to say that she was rushing around. I think the “ace” comes from, like, the idea of a pro at something. Like an driving ace (I don’t know if that’s a real thing, but there was a card in Milles Bourne (which we played often as kids) – http://bit.ly/mwPjud – called Driving Ace, which meant you never had car accidents).
And I think the “belt” in “crazy belt” is like a fan belt, going round and round so fast you can’t even see it’s moving. But that was just my on-the-spot interpretation of it. It made perfect sense to me when she said it, but then when I told someone else about it, they were thinking (naturally) of a belt that holds up your pants. So, I must have had some inborn babelfish action going on, because until they said that, I thought I knew exactly what she meant.
So sweet…such good memories. They do bring comfort and a sad tear, don’t they?
So sweet, Robbi. Seiko was one in a million. What a lucky girl you are to have had such a fine mother.
As to my mother, native born and raised, but used to make up funny names and phrases all the time. In fact, our family has an entire lexicon of words and pronunciations that’s hard for anyone else to follow until they’re indoctrinated.
But nothing really beats these Seikoisms.
I’m totally crying and laughing out loud. I miss my mom too. Thanks for sharing that. =)
I do the “laundries” ala Seiko, and it helps with make cheery what would otherwise be a laborious task. Much love to you all.