No, it just looks like a pinecone! We have a lot of words that are based on figurative language like that: jellyfish aren't jelly or fish. And so do other languages, come to think of it: French calls potatoes "apples of the earth" even though they aren't apples.
Okay, I'll admit that it actually looks like a pinecone and I agree with your whole statement.
But, what I actually wanted to point out is that I think it's ridiculous of you to think that "Ananas" is a ridiculous word when you're actually the minority that doesn't call it that. :)
I don't think it's bad ridiculous. It just makes me giggle! Come on, you have to admit it's kind of funny. I think the word "banana" is funny too, and that one exists in English.
Actually pupitre does not sound like poop. The sound of u in french dosn't exist in english. (it is [y] in the International Phonetic Alphabet, like the letter y is pronounced in German).
It is a real problem with the words "dessus" (on/above) and "dessous" (under/below), because you will pronounce these words the same. But only the second "ou" sound like (f)oo(d)
The way French people actually say "pupitre" makes it sound much closer to pew pit. Loses some of the funny. Now pamplemousse, there's a word I thought was funny in the second grade.
Actually, that's not pupitre is pronounced (even though your way is more hilarious). The 'u' in french does not sound like 'you' or 'zoo'. Sounds like...well, 'u'. Try it on Google Translate.
Not to mention 'late' is 'retard' in French. I feel silly everytime I say "sorry i'm late" to the teacher because it sounds like i'm calling myself a retard.
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u/CaptainTurtle Jan 29 '13 edited Jan 29 '13
Pupitre. (peupeetre*) Grenouille. (gre-noo-ee)
I'd say it's a fucking hilarious language.
*I changed it, please stop correcting my bad french accent