Why I Always Keep a French Dictionary on Hand

I was in a meeting yesterday, going over my action plan or open issues list or something like that.

My new dotted line boss said, "You need to call a meeting with Monsieur Bordel". Or at least that's what I thought he said.

Back at my desk, I looked up Bordel in the company directory and came up with nil. I went back to the boss's cube and asked "How do I spell 'Bordel'?"

"B-o-U-r-d-e-l." Then he added, "DON'T forget the 'U'!"

As I walked away from his cube I heard some people snicker. What was the deal with Bordel?

I flipped through my dictionary and found it:

1. n. Brothel

2. adj. Mess

I am very happy I didn't write M. Bourdel an e-mail with that misspelling.