Left files /even numbers

14:20 Dec 23, 2015
This question was closed without grading. Reason: No acceptable answer

English to Spanish translations [PRO]
Military / Defense / fiction
English term or phrase: Left files /even numbers
Context:
"Now we'll dae it jist yince more, and have it right," announces the instructor, with quite unjustifiable optimism. "Forrm—fourrs!"
This time the result is better, but there is confusion on the left flank.
"Yon man, oot there on the left," shouts the instructor, "what's your number?"
Private Mucklewame, whose mind is slow but tenacious, answers—not without pride at knowing—
"Nineteen!"
(Thank goodness, he reflects, odd numbers stand fast upon all occasions.)
"Weel, mind this," says the sergeant—"Left files is always even numbers, even though they are odd numbers."
[Source: Blank Cartridges by Ian Hay, 1920]

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—Bien, considere esto —dice el sargento—: Las columnas de la izquierda son siempre números pares, aunque sean
números impares.

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Es la traducción literal pero no entiendo el juego de palabras.
Yini
United States
Local time: 00:40


Summary of answers provided
4filas de la izquierda / números pares
JohnMcDove


Discussion entries: 2





  

Answers


7 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
left files /even numbers
filas de la izquierda / números pares


Explanation:
No creo que tenga mucho misterio en contexto, pero la pregunta puede despistar al más "pintao". Incluyendo a los "más profesionales"...

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Note added at 7 hrs (2015-12-23 22:07:54 GMT)
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Oxford
file (2)
noun
(line)
fila (feminine)

in single o Indian file
en fila india
Example sentences

He walked off to a corridor out of the landing bay with the lead general at his side and the other two in file behind them.
They line nine men up in a file, one behind the other.
Aside from a few occasions, we rode in file, all strung out, from the start until Pradollano.

http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/translate/english-spanish/...

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Note added at 7 hrs (2015-12-23 22:09:03 GMT)
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Moliner:

fila (del fr. file)
5 Específicamente, línea que forman* los soldados de *frente, hombro con hombro: ‘Rompan filas’.

JohnMcDove
United States
Local time: 21:40
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in SpanishSpanish
PRO pts in category: 36
Notes to answerer
Asker: Esa fue mi traducción pero ¿entiendes lo que quiere decir "Las filas de la izquierda son siempre números pares aunque sean números impares? - No es la traducción literal la que busco ya que esa ya la di.

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