A Striking Lesson — 366
A canal boat was once passing through a narrow lock on the Erie line, and the captain hailed the passengers and said, “Look out!” Well, a Frenchman thinking something strange was to be seen, popped his head out, and it was cut off in a minute. “Oh, mon Dieu!” said his comrade, “dat is a very striking lesson in English. On land look out means open the window, and see what you will see. On board canal boat it means have your head in, and don’t look at nothin.”—Sam Slick.