Former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away today at the age of 100, is remembered not only for his leadership and humanitarian work but also for his sense of humor — though sometimes it got lost in translation.
Throughout his life, Carter endured many public jabs, both during his presidency and in the decades that followed. The nickname “peanut farmer,” which originated from his rural Georgia roots, was a running joke on shows like 30 Rock well into the 2010s. Animated series like The Simpsons and King of the Hill also poked fun at him, though their playful critiques never seemed to undermine his reputation. After all, it’s hard to take seriously a claim that Carter was “history’s greatest monster,” as The Simpsons once humorously suggested.
Yet, those who knew Carter knew he had a great sense of humor. According to Saturday Night Live alumna Ana Gasteyer, Carter was particularly fond of Dan Aykroyd’s impersonation of him on the show. Carter himself had jokes, too — but they were best appreciated in English.
In 1981, during a visit to a university in Osaka, Japan, Carter attempted to lighten the mood with a joke while delivering a speech to a Japanese audience. Unfortunately, the translator’s rendition of Carter’s humor didn’t quite land as expected. The translator’s response was simply, “President Carter told a funny story. Everyone must laugh,” leaving Carter’s punchline completely lost in translation.
But that wasn’t the only time a translator inadvertently turned Carter’s words into an unintended punchline. During a 1977 visit to Poland, Carter’s New York-born Polish translator provided some memorable — and awkward — translations. When Carter said, “I left the United States this morning,” the translator turned it into, “I left the United States, never to return.” A statement about Carter’s intention “to learn your opinions and understand your desires for the future” was interpreted as “I desire the Poles carnally.” Even a simple, “I’m happy to be in Poland,” became “I’m happy to grasp at Poland’s private parts.”
While his political legacy is undoubtedly significant, Carter will also be remembered for the unintended comedy that came from these translation mishaps. His humor, whether intentional or not, will live on in the memories of those who heard the jokes — and the stories behind them.
