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grimmige Kaffeetantenart

English translation: After all,

22:26 Oct 14, 2009
German to English translations [PRO]
Slang
German term or phrase: grimmige Kaffeetantenart
This was elsewhere translated for me as "coffee-addict style," with no equivalent for "grimmige" at all. As this term comes at the end of a chapter wherein the author is being what I'd most accurately call "snarky" (hmm.... in non-slang, cutting, gossipy), I'd like to emphasize that element more than the "coffee-addict" bit. Any suggestions? And it seems wrong not to incorporate "grimmige," of course.

The author's alter-ego is a no-nonsense elderly woman. I guess I don't fully understand the connotations of "Kaffeetante." Thanks in advance.

Context:

"Sei mir also bitte nicht böse, wenn ich Deinem Säulenheiligen nicht nur den Bauch gepinselt habe. Das ist eben meine grimmige Kaffeetantenart."
BrettMN
Local time: 19:11
English translation:After all,
Explanation:
I am only a grim old biddy.

Or:
That's just my way as a fierce old biddy.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 day10 hrs (2009-10-16 09:24:01 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

Thanks!
Selected response from:

Barbara Wiebking
Germany
Local time: 02:11
Grading comment
Thank you, everyone. Great responses. "Biddy" isn't hugely common in AmE, but it's common enough that with a few tweaks to the sentence, I can make it work well (I'm okay that it has sort of a vague meaning in AmE, in other words). I appreciate the help.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +3po-faced old fuddy duddy
Lesley Robertson MA, Dip Trans IoLET
4 +2That's just me being an old battleaxe
urbom
2 +3After all,
Barbara Wiebking
3That's just me being a harsh/grim (old) biddy
Lonnie Legg


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


7 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +3
po-faced old fuddy duddy


Explanation:
another alternative maybe (would only work with BE though I think)

or even a "po-faced old tea jenny" (British equivalent (more or less) of a Kaffeetante)

Lesley Robertson MA, Dip Trans IoLET
Austria
Local time: 02:11
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Annett Kottek (X): Not crazy about 'po-faced' though. How about a 'grumpy fuddy duddy'?
1 hr
agree  Barbara Wiebking: I was actually looking for something with tea... - so grumpy old tea jenny would be my favourite - at least in a British context! :-)
3 hrs
agree  Lonnie Legg: Just learned a new Britishism (thanks): "po-faced"--seems fine, if UK is OK.
6 hrs
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9 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
Das ist eben meine grimmige Kaffeetantenart
That's just me being an old battleaxe


Explanation:
I'd recast the sentence -- I don't think it would come out sounding like natural English speech if you tried to retain the "...art" part of the word.

Or another possibility: That's just me being a mean old bat.


--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 10 hrs (2009-10-15 08:40:24 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

There seems to be a movement afoot to reclaim one's "inner battleaxe" -- one can use terms such as this about oneself with a certain amount of glee: http://www.grumpyoldwomenlive.com/


urbom
United Kingdom
Local time: 01:11
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Kerstin Green: that's a little to grim/mean in this context, I think
53 mins
  -> (see note added above -- what if she's saying it with a twinkle in her eye?)
agree  monbuckland: I like "old bat"
9 hrs
agree  Barbara Wiebking: I kind of like the "old battleaxe" too. ;-)
14 hrs
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14 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
That's just me being a harsh/grim (old) biddy


Explanation:
I like "sourpuss" too, but "biddy" includes the derogatory evocation of (elderly) females.

Lonnie Legg
Germany
Local time: 02:11
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in GermanGerman
PRO pts in category: 4
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

38 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 2/5Answerer confidence 2/5 peer agreement (net): +3
(grimmige Kaffeetantenart)
After all,


Explanation:
I am only a grim old biddy.

Or:
That's just my way as a fierce old biddy.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 day10 hrs (2009-10-16 09:24:01 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

Thanks!

Example sentence(s):
  • The opening speeches are relayed over the telly, Lear is at this stage Mrs Lear, a grim old biddy in a wheelchair throwing her choccies on the floor, and when she suffers a heart attack she's rushed to a bed in intensive care.

    Reference: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/4707784/Old-Mrs-Lear-is-n...
Barbara Wiebking
Germany
Local time: 02:11
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Thank you, everyone. Great responses. "Biddy" isn't hugely common in AmE, but it's common enough that with a few tweaks to the sentence, I can make it work well (I'm okay that it has sort of a vague meaning in AmE, in other words). I appreciate the help.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Leonora Franzke: "Kaffeetante" is someone who loves talking (in a judging way) behind other peopel's backs and prefers doing so with other (women) and a cup of coffee and some cake.(Kaffeeklatsch)
2 hrs
agree  Nicole Schnell: Leonora nailed it. However, I never heard the term "old biddy" in the US.
3 hrs
agree  Kerstin Green: Spot on, but like Nicole I'm not sure that works for the US
9 hrs
neutral  urbom: which response are people agreeing with here??
9 hrs
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