Discover Sarah Becan’s Viral Post on Spanish Screw Tightening Idiom

A recent social media post by Sarah Becan (@[email protected]) has taken the internet by storm, sparking a fascinating conversation about language and idioms. The post, featuring an illustrated profile picture of a person deep in thought, delves into the quirky world of phrases used to remember which way to turn screws or lids.

In the post, Sarah Becan recounts a Reddit conversation where someone asked if other languages have equivalents to the English mnemonic "righty tighty, lefty loosey." To everyone's delight, a user responded with a Spanish phrase:

"La derecha oprime, la izquierda libera."

This translates to "The right oppresses, the left liberates," a phrase that not only serves as a handy mnemonic but also carries a powerful political undertone. Sarah Becan humorously adds that this catchy phrase might just be t-shirt worthy.

The image, set against a dark background with white text, features icons for comments, sharing, favoriting, and adding to a collection, highlighting the interactive nature of the post. The discussion it sparked brought forth various idioms from around the world, shared by users in the comments section.

One user reminisced about their mentor's advice, "snug, but not ignorant," while another shared a German saying, "nach dran kommt ab," which means "right after it’s very attached, it comes off." This highlights the universal challenge of remembering the right direction for tightening and loosening.

Comments also revealed a Dutch idiom, "links um los," and a humorous French expression where people use their thumb to remember the direction: "No magic sentence in French, but I keep using my right hand with the thumb up each time I'm in an awkward position."

An amusing anecdote mentioned by a user involved their aunt using the Dutch word "LUL," short for 'links um los,' which stuck with them over time. The conversation even touched on cultural nuances and political commentary, with one user mentioning Spain's historical context and another emphasizing the need for a strong left-wing presence in the US.

The viral nature of Sarah Becan's post underscores the universal human experience of navigating everyday tasks and the rich tapestry of language that connects us all. Whether it’s German, Dutch, French, or Spanish, these idioms not only solve practical problems but also offer a glimpse into different cultures and histories.

For those intrigued by linguistic quirks or seeking a new mnemonic for screw-tightening, Sarah Becan's post provides both a practical tip and a delightful cultural insight. It’s no wonder the phrase "La derecha oprime, la izquierda libera" has resonated with so many, potentially inspiring a new line of t-shirts and a deeper appreciation for the diversity of language.