Could somebody give me a thieves' word or expression which means "to stay on guard while other is robbing". Trying to translate from Russian "стоять на шухере".
Спасибо большое за помощь!!! :D
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Could somebody give me a thieves' word or expression which means "to stay on guard while other is robbing". Trying to translate from Russian "стоять на шухере".
Спасибо большое за помощь!!! :D
I think there was a question kind of similar... check this:
http://masterrussian.net/mforum/viewtopic.php?t=11112
Wow. What an amazingly freakish coincidence :o
:lol:
I know! I am in utter and complete bewilderment!!! :o But I don't really know if any of those suggestions tickles your feet for "стоять на шухере"
Ugh! Frustration!Quote:
Originally Posted by kalinka_vinnie
When in doubt... write or say in simple, easy English. Don't try to make your English sentences so complex!
KV... I gave you several variations to work with in my previous post... including "prison/crime" language.
Stephen King, is a brilliant writer, and his English is very easy and simple, especially about crime. So is Lawrence Block, a brilliant American crime and mystery author. Easy and simple English.
"Стоять на шухере" is colloquial Russian, and metaphorical... English-speakers will not understand a direct translation...
BUT!!!...
Use "stoolie" or "lookout" or "eyes"... if you're stuck and confused... these are nouns that match exactly what you (KV) and Gerty are asking for... and they are common and understood by English-speakers... why do you want to use or find a difficult, uncommon rare synonym, for something so simple??
:dunno:
Well, dobry, if that is your real name, it has to fit with the context. We need something that sounds ironic, because her friend is a criminal and she isn't... I just thought that there was a direct translation that I just couldn't remember (or haven't heard), but it seems like it is a mutual thing! :)
To be on the lookout
Also: to be holdin' jiggers/ to hold jiggers
http://members.tripod.com/catchout/dictionary/DICT.html
From Texas prison slang dictionary:
JIGGERS: (holdin'); When a person is watching an area to warn others of someone coming, or if an inmate is watching items very closely for an officer to prevent other inmates from getting more than their entitled portion, this is referred to as "Holdin' jiggers."
I understand. I tried to give you my best advice, based on my experience as a professor, writer and editor.Quote:
Originally Posted by kalinka_vinnie
If you are writing this story, to be read by many people, and you include a word or phrase that is unknown, very uncommon, then many of your readers will be confused... the meaning will be lost. This is the point I was trying to make. Based on your description, I still think "lookout" or "eyes" is the closest to what you want. Is your story satire... serious crime drama... maybe some humor? I would call this the 'tone' of the story... for example:
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels... funny crime story...
Or
Страна глухих (Country of the Deaf) ... serious and tragic crime drama.
This is the "context" you write of... and your English writing needs to show the tone, if possible.
This is why I mentioned the American crime author Lawrence Block... he switches very easily, smoothly between serious tone, and comic/funny tone. He is a master crime-fiction author, and I was very lucky...he was one of my teachers. His Bernie Rhodenbarr crime-stories have much humor, while his Matthew Scudder stories are dark and serious. He's a very skilled writer.
With respect to Charlestonian, I would not use "jiggers"... I've worked around prisons and I've never heard that word used. It may be a Texas slang... the problem is that most English-readers will not understand what you are writing if you use "jiggers". Jiggers normally refer to 1-ounce glasses used in bartending, to make cocktails. This is what most of your English-readers will probably think.
I just thought of another, older slang word... "the nose"... old Italian mafia slang for a guy that can "sniff" or "smell" trouble coming.
"She was our unknowing nose for the heist."
I'm just trying to help you, KV... please don't be offended ... and no, my real name is not Dobry, but this is the name I have used for many years, on several forums... and in MMORPG's such as Lineage II (I play alot with a Russian role-playing Guild), and World of Warcraft. :wink:
My real name is Kyle... it is a very old Celtic/Irish name. I don't know why you questioned my name... but there it is. :wink:
You (Dobry) said "It may be a Texas slang..." Well yes it is a Texas prison slang, and I did provide the reference. I did not claim it to be anything else. My first choice is "To be on the lookout."Quote:
Originally Posted by Dobry
Yep, and I meant nothing by my comment, other than that I want KV's language and slang-use to be understandable to his readers, including English-learners. No problem... and I appreciate your research... I learned a new slang phrase. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by charlestonian
I agree with your suggestion, "to be on the lookout" as probably the best choice.
Now, it's KV's choice, as the writer, to decide. :wink:
Thanks y'all, we actually contemplated "to be holdin' jiggers", but I thought it wouldn't be well understood by the broad public. I had at least never heard of it...
"To be on the lookout" doesn't cut it, because it is too widely used and isn't really jailspeak... not colorful enough. We are looking for a colorful expression that a criminal would say and that would be understandable for the rest of us...
Maybe we will have to revisit these two... I don't see any alternatives...
Do people understand what "holdin' jiggers" mean? If that is so, I owe Gerty an apology... :oops:
Here is the context: As the cell doors can’t be locked from either the inside or the outside, it was enough to drag a bed from an empty room. Something Vovan managed while I was standing in the corridor on watch, or as Vovan expressed: “*sigh*”.
See why "on the lookout" doesn't work?
No... 95% of English-speakers will not understand what "holdin' jiggers" means. It's not common prison-speak, and will not be understood... read the previous posts between Charlestonian and myself. Many prisons construct their own code-language/slang that will not be understood in other prisons, in other parts of the U.S. or other English-countries.Quote:
Originally Posted by kalinka_vinnie
Clarify... the cell-doors can't be locked?? Prison?
I understand your narrator is watching, and she is innocent?
I understand better now... we are focusing in closer on the story... good!
No, "holdin' jiggers" wouldn't work in that context. Let me 'sleep on it tonight' and try to think of more ideas. No worries, KV, we'll help.
Just no lap dances, o.k. :lol:
"Y'all?" Are you also from the South? Where at?Quote:
Originally Posted by kalinka_vinnie
Well, I don't want to give away the plot, but no, not prison cells. It doesn't really matter, though :)
I tried to put "sleep on it tonight", but that didn't fit either! :lol:
Nope, I am from the West :lol: I just was inspired by a question I just received from a Russian: "WTF does 'howdy y'all' mean????" :lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by charlestonian
KV,Quote:
Originally Posted by kalinka_vinnie
Why was I thinking you were from Russia?? Jeez, I'm really clueless!
:lol:
I think you can put there any colorful phrase you like even if it's not wide known, because it's obvious what you mean from the rest of the sentence.
I assume you're joking... but I meant "let me think on it tonight." :lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by kalinka_vinnie
And don't worry about giving away part of the plot, if it helps us help you... your story is protected under U.S. Copyright laws. This is part of my business.
Well, no. I can't say: "I stood on watch, or like Vovan said: 'hooola booola! muga muga wuga wuga!!!'"
The readers would think: ???????????
BTW: Here is the original russian:
пока я стояла в коридоре на страже, или как он сам выразился «на стреме»
Ohhh reeeeaallllyyyyy! ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Dobry
Jeez, professor, writer, editor, copyright protector, what aren't you?Quote:
Originally Posted by Dobry
Gotcha :wink:. So, what did you tell that Russian? BTW, I am from the South.Quote:
Originally Posted by kalinka_vinnie
What's about that? (Though it's probably not what you're looking for :) )
Peel your eyeballs - Be on the lookout (CB-slang)
http://www.cbgazette.com/slang.html
What could I say? It simply is a convoluted way to say hello! :lol: Literally it means: How do you do, you all!Quote:
Originally Posted by charlestonian
Not for native English-speakers... imagery and metaphor do not always translate easily between English and Russian... I use Tarkovsky, Pelevin, Gogol and Bulgakov as suitable examples.Quote:
Originally Posted by gRomoZeka
[quote=kalinka_vinnie]What could I say? It simply is a convoluted way to say hello! :lol: Literally it means: How do you do, you all![/quote:2h8f3bpo]Quote:
Originally Posted by charlestonian
Well, you ain't whistlin' Dixie :D
[quote=kalinka_vinnie]Ohhh reeeeaallllyyyyy! ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Dobry
riculim VitaeJeez, professor, writer, editor, copyright protector, what aren't you?[/quote:3en6myqi]Quote:
Originally Posted by Dobry
Do you want my whole Curriculum Vitae? Or just the short version? :lol:
For understanding U.S Copyright law, I possess a doctoral degree in Law... my emphasis is in international business law, and international contract law... I'm a professor and consultant of advanced English for international lawyers and foreign business people, to help enable accurate business negotiations between the U.S. and Europe/Russia.
I like to write and edit fiction, for fun... a few stories have been published.
My father began having me reading classic literature when I was about 7 years of age, on Greek dramas, comedies, and Homer. He wrangled a set of Encyclopaedia Brittanica's "Great Books" from a patient who needed minor surgery, but had no money. At 6 years of age I began to watch my father's surgeries, to learn medicine and human anatomy.
But my interest was in philosophy and theology. My studies of various world theologies began when I was around 10 years old. My biggest regret in life, was not pursuing my Ph.D in Systematic/ Progressive Theology when I had the chance.
Though... my nature, my soul, is to teach.
But, I continue to study and read literature.
Want me to continue? :? No need I think. :wink:
[quote=Dobry]Do you want my whole Curriculum Vitae? Or just the short version? :lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by kalinka_vinnie
For understanding U.S Copyright law, I possess a doctoral degree in Law... my emphasis is in international business law, and international contract law... I'm a professor and consultant of advanced English for international lawyers and foreign business people, to help enable accurate business negotiations between the U.S. and Europe/Russia.
I like to write and edit fiction, for fun... a few stories have been published.
My father began me reading classic literature when I was about 7 years of age, on Greek dramas, comedies, and Homer. My studies of various world theologies began when I was around 10 years old. My biggest regret in life, was not pursuing my Ph.D in Systematic/ Progressive Theology when I had the chance.
Though... my nature, my soul, is to teach.
Want me to continue? :? No need I think. :wink:[/quote:8rx2qkpe]
Pretty impressive...
Thanks, but it's not meant to be impressive...Quote:
Originally Posted by charlestonian
Each person has their own path, own journey... I feel shame for some of the choices I've made... but I'm not ashamed to admit that there were transitional times that I've scrubbed toilets, and scooped dog poo, so I could earn enough money for my next meal.
My father and grandfather always taught me to respect everyone... and to NEVER disrespect another person, even if he or she was cleaning sewers or emptying rubbish... and this is the way I learned.
To feed the people I love... yep, I'll scrub toilets and work in sewers if necessary. A valuable lesson.
Wow... And you made it. Cool.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dobry
:o But you look so young, or is it the tall, lustrous beer that is diverting my attention? :lol: Anyway, don't worry about the translation, we're going to use TATY's suggestion :lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by Dobry
:lol: I didn't see TATY'S suggestion... but I would trust it, I'm sure.Quote:
Originally Posted by kalinka_vinnie
And yep... I'm older than I look.
I can't believe I wrote that last post! Sorry guys, I normally don't spout-off my life to people :oops: ... I think it was the 4 margarita cocktails I drank with some friends before I wrote it... but it is all true.
I still would like that beer...
Let's meet at "The Peppersack" in Old Tallinn, and I'll buy you one... they have really great beer in Estonia. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by kalinka_vinnie
That beer is flat....look there is no head on it! Dobry is obviously sitting in a bar nursing that beer until he can find a sugar mama to pick up his tab.
"I think it was the 4 margarita cocktails I drank with some friends before I wrote it..."Quote:
Originally Posted by Dobry
Yeah those last 4 did it, and not a dozen before them :wink:
Yep, I forgot about the dozen, before the last 4. :lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by charlestonian
I was definitely in "Margarita-ville" (Jimmy Buffett) ...and then the hangover!
:lol: :wink:
She never came... no sugar mama for me! :cry:Quote:
Originally Posted by DDT
Actually, that was some sort of strange pumpkin/cinnamon ale that my waitress convinced me to try... hey! She was really cute!... I couldn't refuse her! :wink:
Weird seasonal brew though, sort of tasty... but not something I would want to drink often.
I think, "to be on the lookout" will work here:Quote:
Originally Posted by kalinka_vinnie
пока я стояла в коридоре на страже, или как он сам выразился «на стреме»=while I stood on guard in the hallway/watched the hallway, or as he put it, "was on the lookout."
Oh my goodness, Dobry - we must have had the same grandfather!! :o :lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by Dobry
Well, personally, I think it was a lovely post - so nothing to worry about in that department, mate! :wink:Quote:
Originally Posted by Dobry
Actually, I fully agree with it.... :)
Большое спасибо, BabaYaga.Quote:
Originally Posted by BabaYaga