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English to Greek translations [Non-PRO] Idioms / Maxims / Sayings / idiom
English term or phrase:get you!
In the UK this phrase is an expression of encouragement, commonly used sarcastically. 1996, Stepping Up: four play scripts for the classroom, Jane Lilliard and Mollie Hemens: -Gary: Ssh. Miss is talking -Debbie: Ooh, get you! Since when have you ever wanted to listen to the teachers? 1998 January 16, “Film: Dancing with the devil”, in The Independent, London, England: -When Keanu Reeves falls apart, you just want to hiss "Ooh, get you!" 2005 September 17, “The 50 Best Ways to Accessorise”, in The Independent, London, England: -'I know that the thought of travelling with a cashmere wrap makes some people say 'ooh, get you,' Annalisa admits, 'but no one who has ever done it laughs! These excellent examples are from Wiktionary.
'I have submitted this at least four times & each time it will not
allow me to give points. All the suggestions made were useful, particularly Kyriakos's &
Efthiamadou's. Does M Phili's το παίζει έξυπνος mean s/he's playing it cool or s/he a
smartarse?'
By the way, why does ProZ.com have an all Turkish format? Thanks,
Hellinas. 4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer
A final note! I have been asking friends how they would use this phrase and what did they think it meant. They said it means to them: 'Look at you, acting hard' and was used mockingly. At yahoo there is this note:- I think it means: "Get on with your bad self!" if that's English, I know it isn't good English, but it is a slang way to say, "Wow, you're full of surprises!" I agree, it isn't meant to be rude, but it is just a fun way to say "You're doing all right, and even though you may seem bold, or you seem to be bragging a bit, well, good for you. And again:- It means like, "oh, well then!" sort of, an ironic appraisal of a good trait or action. e.g. Girl boasts to her friends about kissing a hot guy. Friends: "oooh, get you!" Kyriakos's examples using μάγκας seems to capture this nuance.
It's not a nasty phrase or a mean phrase, it's meant in good humour.
I think you have hit the nail on the head, Kyriakos! Do other specialists agree? This translation has exactly, in my opinion, the right nuance. Thanks, Kyriakos.
You are right, Kyriakos. The Cambridge dictionary of English defines it as follows:- The phrase is. said to make the person you are with look at or notice someone, and usually laugh at them. It seems to mean in 'camp' usage:- 'Look who's being butch, dear'.
Interesting challenge. I have googled for more hits to see if I can get any near to perceiving the meaning but... nothing! These might be useful: - However, if you're an international brand (ooh, get you), it might make sense to share content more than once – just leave eight hours between ... -"David Cameron: I want women troops front line-ready in a year" Ooh get you, Napoleon. I imagine the next war will ... -Ooh, get you with your Guardian! Actually I love the Guardian Weekend and the G2. I don't read the actual newspaper that much, too long winded. But it does ...
Yes, Dave, it is used thus but ordinary people in the UK do use it but, I take your point, it is often spoken in an imitation 'camp' voice. My question is, is there a Greek equivalent, camp or not, for this phrase. I first encountered it when a mother in law said it to her son in law when he acted in a dictatorial way towards her.
I would never, ever use this as "an expression of encouragement". It's sarcastic. Amusing between friends, in the right tone of voice, but potentially very rude. I rarely hear it apart from the variant "Oooo, get her!" used in the gay community: in that context it is almost invariably rude.
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Answers
2 days 46 mins confidence:
ooh, get you!
μάγκας (depending on context)
Explanation: Ποιος κάνει τον μάγκα τώρα; -Debbie: Ooh, get you! Since when have you ever wanted to listen to the teachers?
Ποιος είναι πιο μάγκας τώρα, Ναπολέοντα; -"David Cameron: I want women troops front line-ready in a year" Ooh get you, Napoleon.
Kyriacos Georghiou Cyprus Local time: 16:06 Native speaker of: English, Greek PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
'I have submitted this at least four times & each time it will not
allow me to give points. All the suggestions made were useful, particularly Kyriakos's &
Efthiamadou's. Does M Phili's το παίζει έξυπνος mean s/he's playing it cool or s/he a
smartarse?'
By the way, why does ProZ.com have an all Turkish format? Thanks,
Hellinas.
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