I’ve heard them all! Every Swinglish mistake. When you try to translate literally from Swedish to English, the result is often very amusing. It has nothing to do with “making yourself go away” (göra bort dig). It has however everything to do with having a sense of humor and seeing the funny side.

There was a secretary who informed the people at the meeting that her boss was not able to join them as he had bad influence. (I wonder if they have vaccinations for that as well?)

Do you know that in Swedish cars they have a “fart controller”?

When Swedes get angry they tell you to “go to the forest”. If they are really angry you might be told to go “where the pepper grows”. If they are a little annoyed they blame it on the cat “The cat too!” (Katten också!).

Maj-Britt once told her international colleagues not to forget to take their “personalities” with them. What she might have meant to say was “personliga tillbehörigheter”, but I am not sure.

Lasse was explaining his education to an international guest. “ I went to fack-school for two years and then I had one year practice”. That’s one way to become an expert.

And how can food be stupid? “This was not so stupid” is a very strange way to show you like what you’re eating.

Bengt explained to his international guests that in Sweden we drink glögg at Christmas time, “it’s warm, red wine with Russians in it”. But I thought they liked vodka.