Say What??

Warning: this post is rated PG-13.  

Perhaps one of my best friends from the course was a fellow from Germany named Jan.  He speaks such impeccable English that I had practically forgotten we spoke different languages and were from different cultures until one night midweek through the program...

We were walking through the streets of Novara trying to decide what to have for dinner.  Neither of us had much of an appetite since we had both eaten three scoops of gelato just prior.  We felt obligated to eat something though.  

With a huge grin on his face that only said he had a great idea.  The conversation went something like this:

Jan: I know!  Let's have drinks and nipples!

Leslie: (does a double take, thinks, "He couldn't possibly have meant what he just said," and bursts into uncontrollable fits of laughter)

Jan: (looks on still smiling, but unsure why Leslie is laughing so hard)

Leslie: Do you know what nipples are??

Jan: (hesitantly) Yes...they're little snacks that you eat...

Leslie: (laughter increases two notches)

Jan: (looks on a little wary now)

Leslie: (between breaths trying to control her laughter) Do you mean to say "nibbles"??

Jan: (enlightment on his face, then horror as he realizes what he said, then laughs almost as hard as Leslie) I'm just going to say snacks from now on!

As we walked home, we discussed the absurdities of the English language.  As he pointed out, you drink drinks.  Why can you eat eats...