this post was submitted on 15 Jul 2023
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As a German visiting the US (social.fossware.space)
submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by NettoHikari@social.fossware.space to c/memes@lemmy.ml
 

Explanation: Germans ~~used to~~ (apparently only in my bubble) call cellphones "Handy" and many people still do that. My friends from america found that quite hilarious.

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[โ€“] marron12@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

FWIW, "handy" in the sense of "handjob" isn't that common (U.S., over 25). I mostly hear it and use it in the sense of "useful, good to have or know." That's pretty handy, that could come in handy.

Plus, I can't imagine I would ever interpret Handy as a handjob if you pronounced it the German way (Hendy). I would just go "huh" because that doesn't register as a word in English. I've been told that the vowels in the German Handy and the English handy sound really similar to native German speakers. But as a native English speaker, they're worlds apart.

Not trying to change your mind or anything. Just thought I'd give you a different perspective.

[โ€“] NettoHikari@social.fossware.space 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Just stating what my US american friend from MA and his entire family said to me.

Edit: Also, not talking about something being handy, I'm talking about "a handy".