Let’s level with each other for a second. We all know poop humor is universal; if it weren’t, there wouldn’t be so many colorful phrases involving poop in different languages to choose from for this article.
The English language alone is a treasure trove of bathroom humor, euphemisms and turns of phrase, because when the going gets rough, milder words just don’t cut it. Colloquial English can even accommodate turd words from other languages — bæ, which is uncomfortably similar to “bae,” means “poop” in Danish.
If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed just thinking about these possibilities, let’s just say you’ll be “relieving yourself of bricks” when we show you how creatively they’re employed in other languages.
Fair warning: the language below is pretty crude, but you probably already knew that?
9 Colorful Linguistic Uses Of Poop In Different Languages
Korean: 똥 묻은 개가 겨 묻은 개 나무란다
Literally translates to: A dog covered in feces scolds a dog covered in bran.
Actually means: It’s kind of like the pot calling the kettle black, or more specifically, someone criticizing a person who’s less flawed than they are, or of higher social standing.
Spanish: ¡Me cago en la leche!
Literally translates to: I crap in the milk!
Actually means: An all-encompassing expression of anger or frustration (kind of like “damn it!”).
Italian: Cagare qualcuno
Literally translates to: To poop someone.
Actually means: To notice or pay attention to someone (kind of like “to give a shit about someone”).
Swedish: Skita i det blå skåpet
Literally translates to: To shit in the blue cupboard.
Actually means: To really cross the line, piss someone off, or be in deep trouble.
Brazilian Portuguese: Cagando e andando
Literally translates to: Shitting and walking.
Actually means: Not giving a damn.
German: Korinthenkacker
Literally translates to: Raisin pooper.
Actually means: Someone who’s petty or overly fixated on trivial details (anal-retentive, in so many words).
Malay: Hangat-hangat tahi ayam
Literally translates to: Warm-warm chicken shit.
Actually means: Usually used in the context of “for as long as the chicken shit is warm.” Often refers to someone who gives up or loses interest quickly.
French: Chier une pendule.
Literally translates to: To shit a clock.
Actually means: To make a big deal out of something insignificant.
Portuguese: O que é um peido para quem já está todo cagado?
Literally translates to: What difference does a fart make when you’ve already shit yourself?
Actually means: Pretty self-explanatory.