Whats in a word?

My friend was teaching this weekend in English, her second language and accidently said
"Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a dongle, I mean donkey".
Apart from being funny, it got me thinking about communication and words a bit.

Tim and Gemma, my fellow brits, are back and there are so many phrases i havent used for 4 months that sound funny now Im hearing them again.
Things like,

• she got herself in a real pickle - (did she? really?a jar of branston or inside a gherkin?)
•  Putting your shoes and socks on (hopefully not in that order?)
• Its my pet peeve (your pet what? i have a pet dog) 

and my favourite

• its not really my cup of tea.

Ah the joys of living in a 3 language community.