Well we have some colloquial expressions that we use in Greek and apparently it's a legit way to calculate time. So let's see what a Greek person will understand if you say these expressions.
- Μάνι μάνι - Mani mani 🖐🏽
When we do something fast or when we do it in a hurry.
Πιες τον καφέ σου μάνι μάνι και πάμε= Drink your coffee mani mani (=fast) and let's go. The phrase has Italian influence from the word mano, which means hand and the phrase "mena le mani" which means move your hands fast
The opposite of this expression (I swear it's not a joke) is...
- Λάου λάου - Lau lau 🐇
When someone is doing something really slow. 🐢
Πάμε λάου λάου γιατί πονάει το πόδι μου= Let's go lau lau (=slowly) because my leg hurts. Τhe phrase is originated from the phrase adi lagu lagu, αντί λαγού λαγού = instead of rabbit rabbit. Lagos- λαγός= rabbit.
- Τσακ Μπάμ - Chak bam 😬
When something is done right away.
Βάζω τα παπούτσια μου τσακ μπαμ και πάμε= I wear my shoes chak bam (right away, now) and we go. This expression also represents the way and the speed that something is done. It's even faster than mani- mani. When you do something chak bam it shouldn't take you more that 1-2 minutes. You still do it fast but you are not in a hurry like in mani mani- μάνι μάνι.
- Similar to Τσακ Μπαμ are the expressions:
Τσάκα τσάκα- chaka chaka 🤪
Τάκα τάκα- taka taka 🥴
- Πι και Φι - Pi ke Fi 🤭
When someone is doing something very fast, instantly, in a flash.
Μαγείρεψα στο πι και φι= I cooked in pi ke fi (very fast).
Few people actually know that this expression comes from the Medieval times, from two words that are related with tortures. Pi-π comes from the greek word παλούκι- paluki (=pole) the mean that ανασκολοπισμός= impalement was done and fi- φ is the first letter of the word φούρκα- furka δηλαδή η αγχόνη= gallows.These two greek letters Pi and Fi (Πι και Φι) were used when people were quickly sentenced to death by impalement or hanging.
- Πιτς Φιτίλι- Pich Fitili 🔫
When we do something as fast as gun fires
Ήρθε σπίτι στο πιτς φιτίλι= He/ She came home in pich fitili (very fast)
-Όσο/ώσπου να πεις κύμινο- Oso/ospou na pis kimino 👩🍳
When we do something and it's not going to take much time.
Ώσπου να πεις κίμινο θα είμαι σπίτι= By the time you say cumin i'll be home. What i have to do is going to be finished by the time you finish this sentence which literally means "until you say cumin"
-Σε χρόνο ντε τε- Se hrono de te 👩🏾🎓
When something happens really fast.
Έφυγε σε χρόνο ντε- τε και δεν πρόλαβα να πω γεια= He left in dt time and I didn't have time to say goodbye. This phrase actually derives from physics. It expresses the shortest period of time that can exist that is just above 0. This period of time is called dt (differential of time).
-Άρον- άρον - Aron- aron 🙏🏾
When you do something quickly and at the same time because of the rush you might not care leaving something behind.
Έφυγα άρον άρον για τη δουλειά και ξέχασα τα κλειδιά μου= I left aron aron (fast) for work and I forgot my keys. The phrase is mentioned in the New Testament (John 19,15) when the crowd shouts at Pilatos in order to lead Christ to the crucifixion. In ancient greek αἴρω is to lift, to move away.
Did you know any of these phrases? Let us know in the comments ✍🏽
Information about the phrases you can find here
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