05-09-2008, 09:55 PM | #46 |
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Being monolingual, I can't really provide words in "other" languages, now can I? I was hoping to attract more MR regulars to the Lounge with the last two threads (said the spider to the fly).
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05-09-2008, 10:15 PM | #47 |
zeldinha zippy zeldissima
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so that's your cunning plan...
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05-09-2008, 10:31 PM | #48 |
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Shhh... they won't know what hit 'em.
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05-09-2008, 11:13 PM | #49 |
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@ Zelda: Generally, we call wimmin like that a "petit Fleur."
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05-09-2008, 11:34 PM | #50 |
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Don't be squeamish, now, tell her the actual term: squeamish.
Pronunciation: \ˈskwē-mish\ Function: adjective Etymology: Middle English squaymisch, modification of Anglo-French escoymous Date: 15th century 1 a: easily nauseated : queasy b: affected with nausea 2 a: excessively fastidious or scrupulous in conduct or belief b: easily offended or disgusted Bonus: escoymous = "to squirt" |
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05-09-2008, 11:39 PM | #51 |
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Where are our German-speaking friends? Another from "In Other Words":
korinthenkacker [core-in-ten-cuck-er] (noun) A "raisin pooper" -- that is, someone so taken up with life's trivial detail that they spend all day crapping raisins. You can spot these types a mile off -- it's that irritating pen pusher or filing fanatic whose favorite job is tidying up the stationery cupboard. Any language with a specific word for that kind of person must be fairly dense with other examples. Out with them! |
05-09-2008, 11:46 PM | #52 | |
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Contronyms?
Quote:
That article gives many English examples, but concludes with this: "Auto-antonyms also exist in other languages. For example, in French hôte may mean either "host" or "guest", and in Hindi कल (kal, IPA: [kʌl]) may mean either "yesterday" or "tomorrow" (disambiguated by the verb in the sentence)." So, sure, why not... let's expand the thread to cover those, too. Last edited by Taylor514ce; 05-09-2008 at 11:50 PM. |
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05-10-2008, 02:43 AM | #53 |
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I don't speak German - but in chess the German word 'zugzwang' is used for a situation where one is obliged to move, but whatever you do will only make things worse (you'd really like to pass but the rules of the game forbid it).
Another German word used in chess is zwischenzug. Typically, a player may analyze a sequence of tactical moves ('I take that, he takes this, I take that, he takes this ....') overlooking a move somewhere in the sequence where the opponent doesn't 'take this', but interposes an 'in-between' move (zwischenzug) first, negating the benefits of the tactical sequence originally envisaged. |
05-10-2008, 02:55 AM | #54 |
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A side issue that often puzzles me is the refusal to translate easily translatable words.
E.g. (exempli gratia ) the movement descriptions of classical music compositions. Why not just say 'quite quick' instead of 'allegro moderato'? It'd be one way to make classical music more accessible imho. Last edited by Sparrow; 05-10-2008 at 03:43 AM. |
05-10-2008, 03:56 AM | #55 |
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I don't know if it's untranslatable - I'm more curious about whether it is, or whether other languages have a similar term - but I've always liked "left-handed compliment" (or, meaning the same, "backhanded compliment").
Incidentally, Adrian, I really liked your beanie - it totally suited you. Cheers, Marc |
05-10-2008, 06:51 AM | #56 |
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Ok, I will try my hands on this one.
Spargeltarzan: a rather lanky man/boy. Often that person tries to show off his non existing muscles. Saufkumpan: a person one is used to get utterly drunk with. This can be a friend but don't has to be (at least in the German definition of friend). You ( the English speaking people) have annexed some other words that had no translation in English like Schadenfreude, Zeitgeist or schleppen. The last has by the way created an English word that is not translatable into German: shlepp (sp?) as a noun. Last edited by Sunlite; 05-10-2008 at 06:54 AM. Reason: correcting spelling mistake |
05-10-2008, 07:10 AM | #57 |
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I can't think of any untranslatable words at the moment, so ... some words that are funny when you translate them literally:
Jammerlappen (sl.): literally: whiny rag, means: sissy. Staubsauger: literally: dust sucker, means: vacuum cleaner. Tradition, I guess. I've seen some German composers use German terms instead though, so not all of them are using Italian in their compositions. Last edited by IceHand; 05-10-2008 at 07:13 AM. |
05-10-2008, 07:31 AM | #58 | ||
zeldinha zippy zeldissima
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Quote:
Quote:
what do you mean exactly by "left-handed compliment" ? |
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05-10-2008, 07:41 AM | #59 | ||
zeldinha zippy zeldissima
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Quote:
Quote:
i saw a book called "sky my husband", a friend of mine got it when she was studying english, it's a lot of french expressions translated literally into english. they become completely nonsensical. like the title, "ciel !" is used (well, not so much today anymore) as an exclamation, like "heavens !" but it literally means "sky". or "to be round like the handle of a shovel" (être rond comme une queue de pelle), it means to be really drunk... |
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05-10-2008, 08:04 AM | #60 | |
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Quote:
Examples might be something like... "Wow, you look great! If ever I put on weight I'll be coming to you for some fashion advice" or "Your complexion looks beautifully smooth in that photo" or "That beanie really suits you, Adrian". Cheers, Marc |
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