JOST A MON

The idle ramblings of a Jack of some trades, Master of none

Oct 30, 2008

Hungarian Black Soup

The Financial Times is always filled with delicious gems. Consider this one from today's Lex Column.

"Hátravan még a feketeleves" was a phrase muttered around Hungary yesterday as details of a massive $25 billion lifeline emerged. Literally, this means "the black soup is yet to come" - a way of saying that, after a pleasant interlude, bad times lie ahead. It dates from the 150 year Ottoman occupation when, after a meal with their new rulers, out would come coffee, a previously unknown beverage in Hungary, and the unpleasant business of tributes and taxes would be broached.

Lovely bit of history, and an even finer tribute to Magyar acerbity.

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