--- In [email protected], "Ellen" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
wrote:
>
> I recently learned that the French word for paper clip is trombone,
> presumably because they look like little trombones.  The paper clip
> boxes at work are in both French and English, presumably because the
> company sells to Canada.  The French word for trombone is also
> trombone, according to all the online translation websites.  Can
anyone
> tell me if this isn't really as confusing as it sounds, or does
context
> take care of it?  I can imagine going to a store and asking if they
> have any trombones and getting paper clips instead of the musical
> instrument or vice versa.  Must make for some interesting situations.
>
There are words in English like that, too, (although I'm blanking). 
I'm sure that if you walk into a music store you get a different
answer than if you walk into an office supply store.






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