[Richard Meyer]

A writer may certainly choose to ignore the standard and accepted rules of grammar, but doing so doesn't validate that choice. Carol and Petra present the case accurately. The standard rule is simple: subjects joined by and are plural and take a plural verb. If, however, the items in a compound subject are thought of as one thing, the verb is singular.

In David's examples (peanut butter and jelly, cut and run, etc.) the items are clearly considered one thing, therefore a singular verb is required.

Since the example you give is a translation, it's difficult to know how the expression is used in the original language. And that's the key question you need to address: Is that expression in the original viewed as two items or one?

Furthermore, the "it sounds right" argument advanced by some is really silly. An awful lot of poor speaking and poor writing "sounds right" because of long and incorrect usage. And just as silly is taking a vote on the matter. If writers break a standard rule of grammar and usage, they should do so by choice and for a purpose, not by accident or ignorance.

Richard