英語中有很多跟國家或民族相關的複合短語，但是普通名詞前加上這些國家/民族修飾後，意義可就大不同了。每個短語後面都藏著一個有趣的文化典故或風俗。
1. Pardon/Excuse my French 原諒我說話粗魯
例句：Who the fxxk do you think you se my French.
你以為你是什麼東西……不好意思我罵人了。
2. Indian giver 送東西給人日後又討回的人
例句：Toby may have given you these books, but don't start celebrating yet. He's famous for being an Indian giver.
託比可能送給你這幾本書了，但是不要高興得太早。他送東西又往回要，是出了名的。
3. Spanish castle 空中樓閣；不切實際
例句：The life science is not a Spanish Castle. Its courses are quite popular with non- science majors.
生命科學並不是不切實際的空談，這門課程在非理工科的大學生中很受歡迎。
4. Spanish athlete 愛吹牛的人
例句：He is a Spanish athlete.
他是個好吹牛的人。
5. Italian hand 幕後操縱；暗中干預
例句：I sensed that fellow's Italian hand in this matter.
我感覺到那傢伙在幕後操縱這件事。
6. Irish bull 自相矛盾，荒唐可笑的說法
例句："It was hereditary in his family to have no children" is a well known Irish bull.
“沒有後嗣是他家族的遺傳”這句話是眾所周知的自相矛盾的笑話。
7. Dutch courage 酒後之勇
例句：The poor man beat his boss by means of Dutch courage.
那個可憐的`人借酒勁打了他的老闆。
8. French window 落地窗
例句：Hook the French window when you come in.
你進來的時候把落地窗關好。
9. French leave 不告而別
例句：Many of the boys at the school took French leave to go to the football match.
學校裡很多孩子曠課去看足球比賽。
10. Greek gift 害人的禮物
例句：It is a Greek gift to you.
這是圖謀害你的禮物。
