French is a complicated language, even for the French

Sometimes, you need to be clear and succinct with your instructions, or else people die. In 1799, Napoleon had captured 1,200 Turkish prisoners, while battling a cold. Supposedly he complained about a coughing fit he was having and said the words “Ma sacree tour,” (my confounded cough), but his men misunderstood and heard “Massacrez tour” (Kill them all). They opened fire and executed every prisoner.