Translation Troubles
A Mexican bandit made a specialty of crossing the Rio
Grande from time to time and robbing banks in Texas.
Finally, a reward was offered for his capture, and an
enterprising Texas ranger decided to track him down.
After a lengthy search, he traced the bandit to his
favorite cantina, snuck up behind him, put his trusty
six-shooter to the bandit's head, and said, "You're under
arrest. Tell me where you hid the loot or I'll blow your
brains out."
But the bandit didn't speak English, and the Ranger
didn't speak Spanish. Fortunately, a bilingual lawyer was in
the saloon and translated the Ranger's message. The
terrified bandit blurted out, in Spanish, that the loot was
buried under the oak tree in back of the cantina.
"What did he say?" asked the Ranger.
The lawyer answered, "He said 'Get lost, you turkey. You
wouldn't dare shoot me.'"
