who's who

English translation: the most notorious criminals and cops

16:16 Sep 10, 2020
English language (monolingual) [Non-PRO]
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters / who's who
English term or phrase: who's who
The list of murder suspects read like a who's who of underworld figures and corrupt police.

They are obviously talking about a list of suspects in a murder happened long time ago. What "who's who" stands for here?

Thanks in advance,
S.J
Canada
Local time: 20:47
Selected answer:the most notorious criminals and cops
Explanation:
P
Selected response from:

Darius Saczuk
United States
Local time: 20:47
Grading comment
Thank you.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
5 +3list of the worst criminals
David Hollywood
3 +4the most notorious criminals and cops
Darius Saczuk
4 +3a list of the elite
Mark Robertson
4who's who
Veronika


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


2 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +4
the most notorious criminals and cops


Explanation:
P

Darius Saczuk
United States
Local time: 20:47
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in PolishPolish, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 124
Grading comment
Thank you.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Yvonne Gallagher: a list of...
2 mins
  -> Thank you, Yvonne. Right.

agree  David Hollywood
7 mins
  -> Thank you, David.

neutral  philgoddard: I don't feel you've explained "who's who".
26 mins
  -> I rushed a little, but I think I got the meaning across.

agree  JH Trads: "the most notorious" is exactly it! (was going to answer precisely this before seeing your solution)
9 hrs
  -> Thanks, JHTrads.

agree  Anastasia Andriani
10 hrs
  -> Thank you, Anastasia.

neutral  Michael Barnett: Of course there is an element of humour/irony in referring to a criminal as a "who's who". That nuance is lost with your suggestion.
1 day 21 hrs
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2 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +3
list of the worst criminals


Explanation:
:)

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Note added at 3 mins (2020-09-10 16:20:15 GMT)
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Who's who definition is - a compilation of brief biographical sketches of prominent persons in a particular field. How to use who's who in a sentence.


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Note added at 4 mins (2020-09-10 16:21:32 GMT)
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Who's Who (or "Who is Who") is the title of a number of reference publications, generally containing concise biographical information on the prominent people of a country.

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Note added at 5 mins (2020-09-10 16:22:22 GMT)
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and cops of course

David Hollywood
Local time: 21:47
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 116

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Darius Saczuk
15 mins
  -> thanks Darius and I like your inclusion of "notorious"

agree  philgoddard
26 mins
  -> thanks Phil

neutral  Yvonne Gallagher: not necessarily the "worst" and you omitted "cops"
21 hrs
  -> oh no I didn't dear

agree  Lorena Oliveira
6 days
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8 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
a list of the elite


Explanation:
Who's Who is a book that is published annually, which lists the richest, most famous and most influential people in the world.

"Who's Who is the leading source of up-to-date information about over 35,000 influential people from all walks of life, worldwide. Containing autobiographical listings of people from around the globe who have an impact on British life, including senior politicians, judges, civil servants, and notable figures from the arts, academia, and other areas, it is seen as one of the world's most recognised and respected works of reference."

https://www.ukwhoswho.com/

Mark Robertson
Local time: 00:47
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 12

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  David Hollywood
20 mins

agree  writeaway: yup, easily findable.
7 hrs

neutral  Yvonne Gallagher: no, "elite" is too positive when obviously it's about notorious here
21 hrs

agree  Michael Barnett: Of course there is an element of humour/irony in referring to a criminal as a "who's who", but the metaphor stands as he is an "elite" criminal. I disagree completely with Yvonne.
1 day 7 hrs
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22 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
who\'s who
who's who


Explanation:
The most important ones in that circle, the "big fish"

Veronika
Croatia
Local time: 01:47
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in CroatianCroatian
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