The title of this post doesn't really make that much sense, does it?Well, there's an Israeli Urban legend going around that tries to explain the popular Hebrew expression, פעם שלישית, גלידה -- "Third Time [I see you, you owe me an] Ice Cream".
What this means is that if you see the same person twice in a day (someone you usually don't see), then you throw this expression at them, that the next the 2 of you meet, the "ice cream is on them."
Curiously, on my way to work the other day, one of my trempistim (hitchhikers) informed me that the origin of this odd expression is based on an English expression, "First time I say, Second time I yell, On the Third Time I Scream." (get it? I scream...ice cream...)
That was way too odd -- since I've never heard that expression in English. The closest I ever heard wasת "Third time's a charm" -- yet my hitchhiker is convinced this is fact. Checking my newly purchased Hebrew slang dictionary at home, it provided the exact same reason. Yet I'm convinced it's an urban legend, because the only place on the entire internet that I've seen this phrase in English -- is on Hebrew websites that advocate this etymology.
Our Hebrew Language Detective Blogger friend, "Balashon" is equally perplexed as to the origin of the expression.
Regardless, you too can now use the expression proudly...and I wish you luck in extorting ice-cream out of your friends.
hat-tip: The Shabster
Inspiration: The "Our Shiputzim" blog which also discusses Israeli slang (examples here, here, here, etc...) -- though less academically than Balashon. Both are mandatory reading!
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