„Wir laufen dahin,“ I said in Vienna.

In Germany, where I live, that means we’ll walk there. In Austria it means we’ll run. I had just suggested we jog to dinner.

Somebody laughed, explained, and the evening carried on. I came home with Semmel and Eierschwammerl, two words I’d never needed before.

Germans get caught out in Vienna too. One language, one border, and the same word means something else. It happens to everyone who speaks.

So when English catches you out in a meeting, you’ve found a word you’re about to learn. That’s all it is.

Quick win: When a word doesn’t work, ask, „What would you say?“ You’ll leave with a better one.