Volume V: Tonz Abroad

This week we added a little foreign flair to pay our respects to Things We Say co-founder Antonio “Tonz” Collins, who decided to head across the pond for some R&R.

I. When in Rome, do as the Romans do 🍝

“When in Rome, do as the Romans do” doesn’t actually have anything to do with gladiator fights or toga parties. The phrase traces back to a 4th-century letter from St. Augustine, who noticed different churches had different fasting practices. His mother was confused about which to follow, so he passed along some sage advice from St. Ambrose: “When I am in Rome, I fast on Saturday; when I am in Milan, I do not.”

The gist still holds up: when you're in a new place, go with the local customs. If that means a scoop of gelato before bed or donning some linen-on-linen for a night out, so be it. Over time, this bit of travel etiquette morphed into the go-to excuse for questionable behavior while on vacation—and the most overused Instagram caption of all time.

II. It’s all Greek to me 🏛️

The Greeks gave us democracy, philosophy, and feta—but apparently not a language anyone was dying to learn. This phrase dates back to medieval Europe, where Greek was often seen as confusing, elitist, or just plain indecipherable. Shakespeare popularized it in Julius Caesar when Casca says of Cicero’s speech: “It was Greek to me.” But Shakespeare didn't coin it—he cribbed it from medieval monks who would write graecum est; non potest legi (“it is Greek; it cannot be read”) in the margins of manuscripts when they hit something they couldn't translate. These days, it’s what we say when someone’s talking NFTs, the tax code, or their sourdough starter kit. Funny enough—and I'm not making this up—the Greeks actually say, “This is Chinese to me” when they're confused. A classic battle of the illegible.

III. Pardon my French 🥖

The phrase originated in the 19th century, when chaps strolling the streets of London would mix in French words or phrases to sound sophisticated or fashionable. When, inevitably, those words went in one ear and out the other, they would jokingly apologize by saying, “Pardon my French,” as a way to excuse their use of foreign language. Over time, however, the phrase evolved, eventually becoming a lighthearted way to apologize for using a curse word.

We’ve all been there: you’re chatting with family at a holiday gathering, and suddenly some colorful language slips out. You catch the red drain from your grandma’s alabaster skin, and for a moment, you think you’re in hot water. But, a simple “Pardon my French,” and all is forgiven.

Forward to a friend — we’re an open book.