The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1907-12-26
BLUNDER IN SPEECH
AMUSING MISTAKES MADE BY
FOREIGN DIPLOMATS.
Their Ignorance Of English Language
sometlmes Taken Advantage OF
by aMlschievous, with Laugh,
able Results.

ing their first winters in Washing
ton. OF course, such mistakes are
made in pure ignorance of the Eng
lish language, and the social customs
obtaining here. But woe to the un.
wary diplomat who asks advice of a
michievous Washington maid, for she
is likely to lead him astray simply
for the joy of the sport.
Some time ago an attache of the
Italian embassy, who had arrived in
the city when the season was in full
swing, was invited to superb private
ball given by the wife of prominent
senator. He accepted, and at the
dance he met a charming girl who
spoke. very good Italian, which added
greatly to his enjoyment.
At supper he confided to this girl
that as he spoke very little English
he was worried as to what he would
say to his hostess. in acknowledge
ment Of her courtesy, in leaving. The
girl promptly replied that she would
give him the best phrase in use for
saying adieux to his hostess, and then
she coached him until he was letter
perfect.
AS the guests were departing the at
tache approached his hostess. Click.
ing his heels together and making
most elaborate bow, he declared in
impressive tones:
"Adieu, madame. I hat had built.
golli time"
The hostess was unable to control
her laughter as she acknowledged his
salute.
An attache of the French embassy,
who found the English language
profound puzzle, was speaking of
stately Washington society leader. He
wished to express his admiration for
her.
"Ah!" he said, struggling his
shoulders. "She is grand woman, so
we'll deviled up"
An incensed listener, who was a
friend of the woman in question. in.
dignantly demanded what he was talk
Ing about, and found that the French
man had meant to compliment her fig
ure by saying she was we'll developed!
Some winters ago another diplomat
had great difficulty in remembering
faces and names. He finally hit upon
a plan which he thought would prove
satisfactory. He carried little red
note book wherever he went and put
down the names Of the girls, a de-
scription Of their appearance and the
color Of their gowns. This last item
spoiled a good scheme and led to end.
less confusion because he was very
likely to meet a girl at tea whom he
had sat next at a dinner, and naturally
she was not then in low neck and
short sleeves, and thus he was always
laundering.
One of the Chinese ministers on his
arrival received an invitation to a
very large and important dinner given
by government official. He carefully
read the formally engraved card and
then wrote on its back: "All right"
put it in the envelope and returned it
to the sender.
A debutante last winter went to a
large dinner at which many foreign
ers were present. A South American
attache took her out to dinner and
everything went well until the des.
sert was served.
BY that time the debutante's small
talk was exhausted, as she had had to
chat more than her fair share to keen
the ball rolling. She noticed that the
attache did not eat his ice, and to
make conversation she asked idly:
Don't you care for ice cream?"
"No." he answered simply. ut al
ways gif me pain in my front"
An attache Of the German embassy
went to call on some Washington
friends the night that President Nc.
Kinley died. Being told that the
president was sinking he expressed
not only his sorrow. but great sur.
prise by saying:
II am all taken aback, for yesterday
I heard that he. was as keen as a
mink"
No one has vet found out what idea
he intended to)convey.