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يميز ما بين الألف وكوز الذُرة

English translation: can barely read

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Arabic term or phrase:يميز ما بين الألف وكوز الذُرة
English translation:can barely read
Entered by: Ruth Ahmedzai

11:49 Jun 11, 2012
Arabic to English translations [PRO]
Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
Arabic term or phrase: يميز ما بين الألف وكوز الذُرة
This is from an editorial article discussing the use of religious internet forums, where the author says that people rush to post comments even when they don't have anything new to say. This is the sentence:
فحينئذ ترى تفاعلا عجيبا مع مشاركتك ومقالك ويدلي بدلوه كل من استطاع أن يفك الخط أو يميز ما بين الألف وكوز الذُرَةِ

Literally, they're pointing out the difference between an alif and an ear of corn. Figuratively, does this phrase mean that they are pedantic, trying to split hairs? I notice that this phrase is often used negatively ie لا يميز بين الألف وكوز الذرة - does that mean that they can't tell the difference, ie. they're stupid? By extension, could this (positive) phrase mean that they're trying to show off how clever they are?

My version: "You’ll be swamped by replies as everyone rushes to give their tuppence worth, unravelling your thread and splitting hairs over petty details." Have I got the wrong end of the stick? Thanks!
Ruth Ahmedzai
United Kingdom
Local time: 20:11
can barely read
Explanation:
This is a negative expression. The author means, not because someone can barely rad, that means they should have take the liberty or have the audacity to post stuff and share nonsense they write.
Selected response from:

Noha Kamal, PhD.
Local time: 21:11
Grading comment
Thanks for explaining this - it does make more sense now!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5 +1can barely read
Noha Kamal, PhD.
4semi-literate
Taghreed Mahmoud


  

Answers


14 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +1
can barely read


Explanation:
This is a negative expression. The author means, not because someone can barely rad, that means they should have take the liberty or have the audacity to post stuff and share nonsense they write.

Noha Kamal, PhD.
Local time: 21:11
Native speaker of: Arabic
PRO pts in category: 68
Grading comment
Thanks for explaining this - it does make more sense now!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Ahmed Badawy: Fine
4 hrs
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19 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
semi-literate


Explanation:
.

Taghreed Mahmoud
Egypt
Local time: 21:11
Native speaker of: Native in ArabicArabic
PRO pts in category: 8
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