50 Hilarious Language Fails That Will Make You LOL

Language is such a complex matter...

Damjan

• Published in Funny
• April 15, 2023

Learning a language is a lifelong journey that involves mastering vocabulary, grammar rules, and the usage of idiomatic expressions. However, even after years of study, it is likely that one will never truly know all the intricacies of a language.

English, the most widely spoken language in the world, is no exception to this rule. Even native speakers and non-native speakers alike can struggle with the complexities of English, from its tricky pronunciation and spelling rules to its numerous idioms.

Idiomatic expressions are phrases that have a meaning that cannot be deduced from the literal meaning of the words. These expressions can be incredibly challenging for non-native speakers, as they often require cultural and historical knowledge to understand fully.

Examples of idioms in English include "kick the bucket" (to die), "break a leg" (good luck), and "beat around the bush" (to avoid talking about something directly). Unfortunately, misunderstandings can arise when idiomatic expressions are misused or misinterpreted.

However, these misunderstandings can lead to amusing situations, whether due to a lack of familiarity with the language or a simple mistake. The internet is full of examples of these linguistic mishaps, from funny mistranslations of signs to humorous miscommunications in conversation.

Despite the challenges of learning a language, it can be a rewarding experience. Whether you are a native or a non-native speaker, you must be patient with yourself and others as you navigate the complexities of language.

And when misunderstandings occur, it's okay to laugh at yourself and appreciate the humor in the situation.

Language is such a complex matter that a lifetime might not be enough to learn all of its ins and outs. And this goes with any of them, which makes English no exception. Despite being the most used one in the world, it often causes difficulties for foreigners and natives alike.

Especially when it comes to set phrases, some of which might sound different from what they actually are. For instance, saving a damsel in this dress, agreeing that looks can be this evening, or seeing a child who is a spit and image of their parent. Whether it’s a lack of familiarity with the language, a typo, or simply uncertainty about what the phrase is exactly, it often leads to some hilarious linguistic misunderstandings.

We have browsed the internet to bring to you some of the best examples of such situations that ought to make you giggle. Scroll down for the list and have a good laugh

1. I never sleep

English is the world's most used language these days. According to the latest data from Ethnologue, in 2022, there are a whopping 373 million folks out there who are native English speakers and over a billion people who use it as a foreign language. (If you're interested, after English, it's Mandarin Chinese, Hindi, and Spanish in terms of combined native and non-native speakers.)

English is the language that connects us all, no matter where we're from. It's the lingo we use in business and crucial for tourism and other major industries. And let's remember the internet, where almost 60% of the content is in English. So if you want to communicate with folks worldwide, English is a great place to start.

2. Catholic Converter

3. Eggs Benedict

According to the Oxford International Education Group, mixing up "your" instead of "you're” is one of the most common mistakes people make when it comes to English grammar. Along with this, other tricky aspects of the language, like using modifiers, apostrophes, and more, can cause headaches for both native and non-native speakers alike.

4. Doggy Dog world

5. Long live Salmon Vanilla

Nowadays, our language has been warped by the influence of technology and social media. Their rapid development constantly brings new words into our vocabulary. For example, the commonly used selfie, troll, and unfriend all came from the online world.

Moreover, there’s an ever-growing list of acronyms on the internet as well. (Which, in my honest opinion, is getting difficult to keep up with.) In this fast-paced world, they allow us to save a couple of seconds when writing, which we often spend scrolling online anyways.

 In addition to the good old laughing out loud, you can often encounter such acronyms as TL;DR (too long; didn’t read), SMH (shaking my head), or G2G (good to go), just to name a few.

6. Hilarious

7. Bob Wire

8. Ovaries salute you!

The internet can be a two-faced tool. While it may encourage the use of slang and forget about proper grammar rules, it also allows people to become more familiar with and learn the language more quickly.

According to a survey conducted in 2014, 93% of respondents agreed that the Internet is an effective tool for learning English.

9. Damsel In This Dress

10. Toe Food

11. Fashion crime

The internet can also be a lifesaver when you're unsure about the meaning of a particular phrase. For example, with just a quick online search, you can figure out why it's called a catalytic converter (due to its relation to a catalyst) instead of a Catholic converter or why the term "taken aback" might be more appropriate than "taking a bath" when it comes to describing someone's stunning beauty.

12. Ethereal

13. Lmao

14. Not recommended

One of Britannica's articles delved into the origins of some common English phrases. For example, it was discovered that the word "to turn a blind eye" could be traced back to a man using his blind eye to look through a telescope. Similarly, the term "feeling under the weather" is thought to have originated from sailors seeking shelter under the bow of a ship to escape bad weather conditions when they were feeling unwell.

15. Circumstances - Circumcise

16. Mmmmm....Blubbery Cheese Cake!

17. Flirt fail

Grammarly explained more idiomatic expressions, like "letting one's hair down" and "giving a cold shoulder," which can be confusing when taken literally. However, they originated from past events that align with their meanings. For example, aristocratic women would loosen their hair to relax when they came home, and guests were given a shoulder of meat as a signal to leave.

18. Use Your Tongue!

19. Mitch Match Civil Where

20. Nip It In The Butt

Learning idiomatic expressions can be a challenge, even for native speakers who may also struggle with them. As you may have already noticed, it can be a real headache. However, mastering all of them is nearly impossible, given that there are an estimated 25,000 idiomatic expressions in English.

21. Ha ha

22. The silence....it's beautiful!

23. Epitome maybe...

Just like learning English nuances can be a frustrating experience for non-native speakers, native speakers of other languages also face challenges when learning their language. However, according to a Gallup survey, one-quarter of Americans can converse in a foreign language, with Spanish being the most spoken.

Babble says Spanish is also the third most accessible language for English speakers to learn, with only Norwegian and Swedish being considered more accessible.

24. Fire Exists

25. Fb, your opinion?

26. Damn you, Jena!

To further your knowledge of English idioms and their origins, click here to learn about the history of 66 commonly used ones or read about widely misused phrases. And if you feel like you've had enough of English for the day, you can check out 30 of people's favorite non-English words and their literal meanings here.

28. FABULOUSSSSSSSsssssss!

29. Looks Can Be This Evening

30. Dryer duck

31. Seriously?

32. Wow

33. Lol

34. Mow-Nourished

35. Funny

36. Queen

37. Paper Machete

39. Hand Soup

40. Omg

41. Jack Off All Traits

42. Can’t Elope

43. Fowl marriage

44. Vicariously, maybe?

45. Like I'm At The Foreskin Of Everybody's Mind

46. Brilliant

47.Stretch marks are my metals

48. Best offer?

50. Garlic Permission

51. They Can't Handle My Cork

52. Cadillac Converter!

53. A Soccer Punch

Mastering the complexities of English idiomatic expressions can be a challenge, even for native speakers. The internet can be a valuable tool in helping to decipher the meaning of these phrases and learn their origins.

Despite the potential for confusion and misunderstandings, the humor and richness of language make the learning process a rewarding and enjoyable experience. Whether you're a native speaker or a non-native speaker, taking the time to learn about the history and usage of idiomatic expressions can enhance your understanding and appreciation of the English language.

Damjan