Aug 28, 2020 13:52
3 yrs ago
57 viewers *
French term
couper les ailes à un canard qu’on a déjà, semblerait-il, trop longtemps vu voler
French to English
Other
Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
Belgian French
Le journal au même moment, illustre parfaitement cette situation ou acclimater voisine en synonyme avec naturaliser, dans plusieurs propos qui soutiennent clairement que le processus en question n’est envisageable que dans les cas où un végétal est implanté dans un climat proche de celui de son pays d’origine. Acclimater, dans cette dernière interprétation – celle qui prévaut alors « in the British sphere » – ne signifierait pas forcer une plante à se plier à un climat différent de celui qui l’a vu naître, mais simplement l’implanter avec succès sur une terre où on ne le connaissait pas, et qui diffère peu, quant aux conditions de vie, de celle de ses origines. Le botaniste allemand Link, un des premiers dans nos sources belges, s’émeut également de ce flou lexical et propose une définition destinée à ***couper les ailes à un canard qu’on a déjà, semblerait-il, trop longtemps vu voler*** : « Acclimater dans le vrai sens du mot, veut dire accoutumer un être organisé à un climat que, par lui-même, il ne supporte pas ».
This is a Belgian text about the acclimatisation of plants in the 19th century.
I am trying to find an English expression to translate the following : « couper les ailes à un canard qu’on a déjà, semblerait-il, trop longtemps vu voler ». I have one in mind, but would like to see if anyone has any other ideas.
Many thanks in advance!
Sheila
This is a Belgian text about the acclimatisation of plants in the 19th century.
I am trying to find an English expression to translate the following : « couper les ailes à un canard qu’on a déjà, semblerait-il, trop longtemps vu voler ». I have one in mind, but would like to see if anyone has any other ideas.
Many thanks in advance!
Sheila
Proposed translations
(English)
Change log
Aug 28, 2020 16:13: philgoddard changed "Field (write-in)" from "acclimatisation of plants" to "(none)"
Aug 28, 2020 16:33: writeaway changed "Field (write-in)" from "(none)" to "Belgian French"
Proposed translations
1 day 9 hrs
Selected
(it's time) to dispel this old myth/rumour/wives' tale/urban legend
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Why Suzuki used the $30 spark plug in the older RM's ...
thumpertalk.com › forums › topic › 1109865-why-suz...
Time to dispel this rumour, and myth about why Suzuki recommended to use the EG series plugs. Those plugs are a special racing type of plug ...
30 Oct 2014 - 17 posts - 11 authors
en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Old_wives'_tale
An old wives' tale is a supposed truth which is actually spurious or a superstition. It can be said sometimes to be a type of urban legend, said to be passed down ...
Web results
Why Suzuki used the $30 spark plug in the older RM's ...
thumpertalk.com › forums › topic › 1109865-why-suz...
Time to dispel this rumour, and myth about why Suzuki recommended to use the EG series plugs. Those plugs are a special racing type of plug ...
30 Oct 2014 - 17 posts - 11 authors
en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Old_wives'_tale
An old wives' tale is a supposed truth which is actually spurious or a superstition. It can be said sometimes to be a type of urban legend, said to be passed down ...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Many thanks to everyone for all the answers and comments! They were all of great help!
"
1 hr
(that it's) time to retire the old definition, which is no longer relevant / which is obsolete
Just guessing here, based on the context provided.
1 hr
dispel a canard that seems to have been doing the rounds for a long time
See the discussion box.
I don't think you can reproduce the "clip the wings" wordplay, but you can at least retain the idea of "canard".
Definition of canard
1a: a false or unfounded report or story
especially : a fabricated report
The report about a conspiracy proved to be a canard.
b: a groundless rumor or belief
the widespread canard that every lawyer is dishonest
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/canard
I don't think you can reproduce the "clip the wings" wordplay, but you can at least retain the idea of "canard".
Definition of canard
1a: a false or unfounded report or story
especially : a fabricated report
The report about a conspiracy proved to be a canard.
b: a groundless rumor or belief
the widespread canard that every lawyer is dishonest
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/canard
+1
1 hr
clip this little birdie's wings before it causes any more trouble
I'm suggesting "little birdie" because you were attracted to the idea of a rumour and little birdies are supposed to spread them. On the other hand, as noted above, I don't think it has anything to do with rumours. A "canard" in French or English can be understood as misleading information, and I think that is more relevant here.
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Note added at 2 hrs (2020-08-28 15:56:12 GMT)
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Little birdies get everywhere and are the source of all sorts of information and misinformation, especially when communicating it to people who aren't supposed to know.
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Note added at 2 hrs (2020-08-28 15:56:12 GMT)
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Little birdies get everywhere and are the source of all sorts of information and misinformation, especially when communicating it to people who aren't supposed to know.
1 day 7 hrs
do away with this term that has been doing the rounds for too long
suggestion
Discussion
suggests finding an appropriate definition for this misnomer which would finally put an end to its use.
I'm sure someone can do it more elegantly!
Reining in, indeed, with only the one "g"!
"reigning in a horse that has had its head for far too long"
OR, if that is too metaphorical :
"reigning in a misconception that has been flying around for far too long"
But I do agree with your summary that " Link wanted to put an end to the British misuse of this particular term and to insist upon it being used properly"
The target audience is clearly educated, and the piece well written. "Canard" will have some of them reaching for the dictionary, but many will understand it
However, I'm pretty sure that it's Link: "Link, un des premiers dans nos sources belges, s’émeut également de ce flou lexical et propose une définition destinée à ***couper les ailes à un canard qu’on a déjà, semblerait-il, trop longtemps vu voler*** : [the phrase in question, i.e., his proposed new definition]..."
Btw, I like "doing the rounds for a long time, (or "for far too long), but am dubious about "canard" here. It clearly depends on the target audience, but I too was not aware of its use in EN despite being pretty familiar with this French use.
Haha, I see you all came to the same conclusion as I was typing :O))
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/canard
Maybe "clip the wings of un ugly duckling that has long since flown the nest"?
The page setting of the question, with the punctuation at the end of the term in quotes and coinciding with the end of the line of print, rather disguises the fact that the final sentence is said Link's proposed new definition.
I wonder if you could use "clip the wings" as that is an expression that is used when trying to rein something in, but then extend it to say "clip the wings of a bird that flew a long time ago" or words to that effect (I can't find a poetic way to say it)
Similarly, you could do something with "that ship has already sailed" possibly? Or shutting the barn door after the horse has bolted?