For example: The other day we were in Germany. We had stopped at a restaurant on the way home for some good, hearty German food. Between the Dutch I know and having been in German speaking countries very often, I can pick out quite a bit of German on signs, menus, etc.
It was my turn to order at the restaurant. I wasn't quite ready, but I just chose. I saw something called "rinderzunge". I knew that "rinder" meant "beef", and I could tell it came with potatoes. I wasn't sure what "zunge" was, but I assumed it was some cut of beef or way of preparation. So I ordered.
It came nicely arranged on the plate with boiled potatoes, peas, and a little salad. It was cut in nice, juicy rounds...
I had ordered "beef tongue" - "rinderzunge". It actually wasn't bad - just a little strange. It had a nice taste, sort of like corned beef with a milkier taste, but the texture was a little soft and...different. I finished it (giving a few bites to my family to try), but something mental kept me from really liking it.
Despite the surprise and strangeness of what I ordered, I don't regret it. If I had known it was tongue, I wouldn't have ordered it. But since I did order it, I'm glad for the new experience.