This term put me on a wild goose chase

One of my most recent major translation projects was that of a terms and conditions document, for a construction project, from French into English. And it had its share of terminology. But as comfortable as I am at projecting a truly professional translation, I have once again had to tolerate fate spitting in my face over my wish to be the proverbial "perfect translator", if such a thing ever existed.

I know that French "maître" means "master" in English, and I know that French "ouvrage" means "work" / "labour" in English - "ouvrage" in context tends to refer to the kind of work recognised in practicing a craft of some sort (like house building, with bricks and mortar and everything). So I guess it was inevitable that I would come to the conclusion that, when I read "Maître d'Ouvrage" in the original, it had to mean "foreman" in English. Alas! In this context of contracts it actually means "contracting party", according to the ProZ website glossaries. I am proud of myself that I was able to spot this subtle error without anyone having had to point it out to me.