A false friend, or false cognate as is the proper term, is a word that you think you know the meaning of in a foreign language - but in fact it means something completely different. This can lead to some hilarious results. However, linguistic slip-ups are part of language in action. Everyone who has tried to communicate in a foreign language has put his foot in it at one time or another. So there is no need to feel alone. The English speaker is just as capable of getting lost in the linguistic jungle as a German, Italian or Japanese businessman.