This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
  1. KudoZ™ Top
  2. Greek to English
  3. Idioms / Maxims / Sayings

η Σάρα η Μάρα και το κακό συναπάντημα

English translation: (every/any) Tom, Dick and Harry

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Greek term or phrase:η Σάρα η Μάρα και το κακό συναπάντημα
English translation:(every/any) Tom, Dick and Harry
Entered by: Spiros Doikas

20:01 Oct 26, 2008
Greek to English translations [PRO]
Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
Greek term or phrase: η Σάρα η Μάρα και το κακό συναπάντημα
Μήπως μπορεί κανείς να προτείνει μετάφραση και το ρητό "Η Σάρα η Μάρα και το κακό συναπάντημα";
το βρήκα σε μια γελοιογραφία εφημερίδας και επειδή κάνω μια εργασία σχετική με την πραγματολογία γελοιογραφιών χρειάζομαι να αποδώσω το ρητό κάπως στα αγγλικά ώστε ο Βρεττανός αναγνώστης μου να καταλάβει το αστείο τησ γελοιογραφίας.
Ράνια
(every) Tom, Dick and Harry
Explanation:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Dick_And_Harry
Selected response from:

Spiros Doikas
Local time: 15:30
Grading comment
the English expression sounds more neutral to me while in the cartoon it is obvious that Mara and all associated politicians are "the devil's advocate". perhaps in some cases it's better to empasize the evil force if the greek idiom is very pejorative, i.e. simply use the devil's advocate.
2 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +8(every) Tom, Dick and Harry
Spiros Doikas
Summary of reference entries provided
Η Σάρα και η Μάρα
socratisv

Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


15 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +8
(every) Tom, Dick and Harry


Explanation:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Dick_And_Harry

Spiros Doikas
Local time: 15:30
Native speaker of: Native in GreekGreek
PRO pts in category: 14
Grading comment
the English expression sounds more neutral to me while in the cartoon it is obvious that Mara and all associated politicians are "the devil's advocate". perhaps in some cases it's better to empasize the evil force if the greek idiom is very pejorative, i.e. simply use the devil's advocate.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  socratisv: Έτσι θα μπει και ως κύρια απάντηση στο γλωσσάρι. Καλησπέρες:----)
2 mins
  -> -:)
agree  Evi Prokopi (X)
10 mins
agree  Vasilisso
1 hr
agree  d_vachliot (X)
1 hr
agree  Vicky Papaprodromou
2 hrs
agree  Nadia-Anastasia Fahmi
9 hrs
agree  Assimina Vavoula
10 hrs
disagree  ntaras: Sorry to disagree. I am aware that the similarity of structure is compelling, but there is a big difference: the English expression is more or less neutral while the Greek expression is strongly pejorative. The easy solution is not always the best one.
13 hrs
  -> The translation of idioms is based on the principle of functional (near-)equivalence. Kindly refer to an eminent lexicographer's reply on this thread: http://www.proz.com/kudoz/1171366
agree  Anastasia Giagopoulou
1 day 11 hrs
agree  Rania Mantzouki: η γελοιογραφία αναφέρεται στην Μάρα (γυναίκα του κ. Ρουσόπουλου) και υποθέτω ότι το λογοπαίγνιο είναι στο ότι χρησιμοποιείται το όνομα αυτής μέσα στην αρνητικού νοήματος παροιμία (με ένα σμπάρο δυο τριγώνια).
1 day 15 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)




Reference comments


16 mins peer agreement (net): -1
Reference: Η Σάρα και η Μάρα

Reference information:
http://www.proz.com/kudoz/english_to_greek/linguistics/11713...

socratisv
Greece
Native speaker of: Native in GreekGreek, Native in FrenchFrench

Peer comments on this reference comment (and responses from the reference poster)
disagree  ntaras: Sorry to disagree. I am aware that the similarity of structure is compelling, but there is a big difference: the English expression is more or less neutral while the Greek expression is strongly pejorative. The easy solution is not always the best one.
13 hrs
  -> The expression means every one (if every is used) or any one (any T, D & H) and could have either a neutral, positive or negatve sense, IMHO. We can probably express this by adding a word about these bad influences/encounters
neutral  Rania Mantzouki: apparently Mr Ntaras you have a point. However, sometimes there is no functional equivalent because it could be the case that there is no cultural equivalent in the Target Language. I cannot think of any functional equivalent. pls state alternatives
1 day 15 hrs
  -> Thank you for your point of view. This field is decicated to communicate w/ the answer, so I am not 100% sure whether other members receive a notification or not:-).
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:
ProZ.com term search
Search millions of term translations
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search