patella sullo scoglio

English translation: limpet on a rock

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Italian term or phrase:patella sullo scoglio
English translation:limpet on a rock
Entered by: Shera Lyn Parpia

09:02 Apr 10, 2020
Italian to English translations [PRO]
Social Sciences - Education / Pedagogy
Italian term or phrase: patella sullo scoglio
Speaking about a baby who is always attached to his mother/in her arms:
"Sembra una patella sullo scoglio"

A literal translation like "A limpet on a rock" would not be very efficient.
"A leech on your arm" is not really right and rather extreme/unpleasant.
Other ideas?
Shera Lyn Parpia
Italy
Local time: 20:28
limpet
Explanation:
I would just use limpet:
'clinging to his mother like a limpet'

It's quite a common phrase
Selected response from:

Jasmina Towers
United Kingdom
Local time: 19:28
Grading comment
despite my misgivings I chose this... thank you!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +7limpet
Jasmina Towers
3like icing on a cupcake
Cedric Randolph
3like a tick (personally, I'd go for "limpet")
Michael Korovkin


Discussion entries: 2





  

Answers


3 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +7
limpet


Explanation:
I would just use limpet:
'clinging to his mother like a limpet'

It's quite a common phrase

Jasmina Towers
United Kingdom
Local time: 19:28
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
despite my misgivings I chose this... thank you!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Eleonora Pezzana
9 mins

agree  Wolfgang Hager
15 mins

agree  Marie Scarano
26 mins

agree  martini
3 hrs

agree  Stefania Sonis: Stefania S.
3 hrs

agree  Michael Korovkin: but the asker had expressly pre-empted "limpet" ...
5 hrs

agree  Valeria Morley
3 days 22 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

10 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
like icing on a cupcake


Explanation:
This is just a suggestion of one possibility in flipping it away from the Italian, which is a little disconcerting. It could be made more positive, if that fits the context.

Cedric Randolph
Italy
Local time: 20:28
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in ItalianItalian
PRO pts in category: 59
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks!

Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

5 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
like a tick (personally, I'd go for "limpet")


Explanation:
I suggest that only because the Asker wants no limpets.
And yet "stuck like a limpet" is absolutely standard; no need to "flip" from the Italian: it's as standard in English as "patella" in Italian.

Unless, of course, one doesn't want to put "this baby is stuck to her like a fart in a phone booth". THAT would be one way to put it:)))

Michael Korovkin
Italy
Local time: 20:28
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in RussianRussian
PRO pts in category: 40
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thank you :)

Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.


See also:
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search