IdiomThe Absurd
Danish
DanishDet blæser en halv pelikan
Meaning: It is extremely windy.
Literally: It's blowing half a pelican
Example: “Tag en tyk jakke på, det blæser en halv pelikan.” — Put on a thick jacket; it's blowing a gale.
English equivalent: To blow a gale
Equivalents in other languages
French: Un vent à décorner les bœufs Literally: A wind to dehorn the oxen
English: blow a gale
Origin: A jokey Danish twist on wind talk: weather forecasts speak of half a gale or a strong breeze, and "blowing half a pelican" swaps in an absurd large bird. The phrase is colloquial, and no source documents its origin or date.
More Danish idioms
- At tisse i bukserne for at holde varmen A quick fix that makes the problem worse soon after.
- At save den gren over man selv sidder på To undermine your own position.
- At gå over åen efter vand To do something in a needlessly roundabout way.
- At trække det store læs To do the heavy lifting and carry the work.
- At træde i spinaten To put your foot in it; to blunder.
- At score kassen To make a big, easy profit.
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