arma arrojadiza

English translation: bone of contention / hot potato / divisive issue

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Spanish term or phrase:arma arrojadiza
English translation:bone of contention / hot potato / divisive issue
Entered by: Noni Gilbert Riley

18:29 Jul 31, 2008
Spanish to English translations [PRO]
Social Sciences - Media / Multimedia / Immigration
Spanish term or phrase: arma arrojadiza
"[...] en las últimas elecciones generales recientemente celebradas, por primera vez el tema de la inmigración se ha convertido en verdadera *arma arrojadiza* entre los dos principales partidos del país"

An academic paper for neutral/British English.

The end of a long day, and inspiration has deserted me. Help please!

TIA
Noni Gilbert Riley
Spain
Local time: 15:49
bone of contention
Explanation:
don´t know if it´s strong enough for you!

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Note added at 37 mins (2008-07-31 19:06:43 GMT)
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you could also say 'a vertitable bone of contention'.

I like John´s suggestion of 'political hot potato' too!
Selected response from:

Lisa McCarthy
Spain
Local time: 15:49
Grading comment
Better late than never, the points going to a deserving Lisa, since it was her "veritable bone of contention" which went into the translation. However, excellent variety of choices for the glossary, and many many thanks to JP for releasing the points which I had mistakenly given to him (and to Site Staff also for sorting this out). JP's bothering to take the time to do this made this possible.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +4bone of contention
Lisa McCarthy
3 +1political hot potato
JPW (X)
4(a truly) divisive issue
Edward Tully
4political weapon
Beatriz Ramírez de Haro


Discussion entries: 2





  

Answers


15 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
political hot potato


Explanation:
I only gave it a medium, as you say it's for a neutral paper; this may be a bit too colloquial but there again you can best decide. Nevertheless it is quite an accepted expression nowadays.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/special_report/1999/02/99/food_un...

JPW (X)
Local time: 14:49
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
Notes to answerer
Asker: Yikes. While you know that I like your answer, it was my intention to award points to Lisa... Please don't be offended if I manage to rectify this.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Maria Kisic: It is indeed accepted
7 hrs
  -> Thanks Maria!
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8 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +4
bone of contention


Explanation:
don´t know if it´s strong enough for you!

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 37 mins (2008-07-31 19:06:43 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

you could also say 'a vertitable bone of contention'.

I like John´s suggestion of 'political hot potato' too!

Lisa McCarthy
Spain
Local time: 15:49
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 20
Grading comment
Better late than never, the points going to a deserving Lisa, since it was her "veritable bone of contention" which went into the translation. However, excellent variety of choices for the glossary, and many many thanks to JP for releasing the points which I had mistakenly given to him (and to Site Staff also for sorting this out). JP's bothering to take the time to do this made this possible.
Notes to answerer
Asker: Glad to see not everyone in Spain has xxxxed off home! Thanks Lisa. I share your suspicion that I might need sth stronger, but it is definitely a way to translate this term.

Asker: Of course, I could just say "a huge bone of contention". Definitely a possible solution.

Asker: Oh no, look what I've done. Given the points to the wrong person! Let's see if I can undo this...


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  beatriz707 (X): that sounds good. I understood the idea but couldn't find a better term
8 mins
  -> Thanks Beatriz!

agree  Egmont
4 hrs
  -> Thanks AVRVM!

agree  Maria Ramon
7 hrs
  -> Thanks Maria!

agree  Saman Al-Chakmakchi
15 hrs
  -> Thanks Saman!
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2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
(a truly) divisive issue


Explanation:
another option!


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Note added at 3 hrs (2008-07-31 21:41:19 GMT)
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or you may wish to rephrase the sentence and use "has split/divided"...I'm just back from my week on the beaches of Manchester so am as fresh as a daisy!

Edward Tully
Local time: 15:49
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 12
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3 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
political weapon


Explanation:
Another option

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Note added at 3 hrs (2008-07-31 22:25:32 GMT)
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Lo bueno de esta opción es que admite una gran variedad de adjetivos, por ej. effective, powerful, sticky...

Beatriz Ramírez de Haro
Spain
Local time: 15:49
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in SpanishSpanish
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