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To craunch the marmoset

  Tags: Idiom | Translation
 Language Learning Forum : Philological Room Post Reply
Dvergr
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 Message 1 of 8
11 April 2008 at 9:59am | IP Logged 
I'm curious if there is anyone out there with a knowledge of 19th century Portuguese, French, and English who can explain how the authors of English as She Is Spoke got from "Esperar horas e horas" to "To craunch the marmoset." I'm guessing that the Portuguese was translated into a French idiom that was then translated literally into English, but I don't know what the French idiom might be...

Thanks!

Dvergr

Edited by Dvergr on 11 April 2008 at 10:02am
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Dvergr
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 Message 2 of 8
11 April 2008 at 7:12pm | IP Logged 
Actually, I'm curious what people who don't necessarily have a specialist's knowledge of 19th century Portuguese,
French, and English think about this whole phenomenon. It seems to be taken seriously as
unintended humor.

Is the whole book an intentional joke? Is this particular item an "easter egg?" Is it just paired with the wrong
Portuguese idiom?

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leosmith
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 Message 3 of 8
11 April 2008 at 8:46pm | IP Logged 
Hilarious! Thanks Dvergr.
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Hencke
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 Message 4 of 8
18 April 2008 at 5:42am | IP Logged 
Hmmm, after looking up the meanings of "craunch" (just a variation of "crunch" apparently) and marmoset, it seems that "to craunch the marmoset" gives me a strong association to another idiomatic expression which is not directly about "crunching" but does have a simian at the receiving end of the action all the same. I'm sure it's clear which expression I am thinking about even though I am not prepared to spell it out ;o).

I wonder, is it just me with my dirty imagination, or is anybody else having the same reaction when you hear "to craunch the marmoset" ?

I'll have to remember to use "I've been craunching the marmoset" now, next time I want to express that I have been waiting for hours and hours. Be interesting to see what reactions I get ;o).
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Marc Frisch
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 Message 5 of 8
18 April 2008 at 8:38am | IP Logged 
Hencke wrote:
Hmmm, after looking up the meanings of "craunch" (just a variation of "crunch" apparently) and marmoset, it seems that "to craunch the marmoset" gives me a strong association to another idiomatic expression which is not directly about "crunching" but does have a simian at the receiving end of the action all the same. I'm sure it's clear which expression I am thinking about even though I am not prepared to spell it out ;o).

I wonder, is it just me with my dirty imagination, or is anybody else having the same reaction when you hear "to craunch the marmoset" ?


I had to think a long time about this and the only thing that comes to mind is "to spank the monkey", but if that's what your thinking about, I don't see why you don't spell it out. I'm sure there are many people here who don't know what it means and will be happy to learn something new!

(By the way, I think it's just your dirty imagination... ;-)
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Dvergr
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 Message 6 of 8
19 April 2008 at 9:45am | IP Logged 
I've searched around some more. The French phrase seems to be "croquer le marmot" which means "to wait around." Does anyone know if this is still current French?

Dvergr
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leosmith
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 Message 7 of 8
19 April 2008 at 7:08pm | IP Logged 
Hencke wrote:
Hmmm, after looking up the meanings of "craunch" (just a variation of "crunch" apparently) and marmoset, it seems that "to craunch the marmoset" gives me a strong association to another idiomatic expression which is not directly about "crunching" but does have a simian at the receiving end of the action all the same. I'm sure it's clear which expression I am thinking about even though I am not prepared to spell it out ;o).

It made me think of munching on a beaver.
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Talairan
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 Message 8 of 8
28 April 2008 at 9:32am | IP Logged 
leosmith wrote:
It made me think of munching on a beaver.

Yet another rude expression, perhaps?

Edited by Talairan on 29 April 2008 at 3:26am


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