The other day, everything went wrong. Fortunately, I knew the German for this: Alles ging schief, or Alles ist schief gegangen. The word schief means crooked and can apply to anything from a cocked head or a picture on the wall to a no good, very bad day. I like it because it sounds like what it is and because it’s quick and easy to say. In fact, I’ve imported it into English. Saying, “It’s going schief!” is more satisfying than the British expression, “It’s going pear-shaped,” and it makes a lot more sense, too.
Clare B. Dunkle
