https://www.proz.com/kudoz/english-to-german/slang/1887494-mudcocks.html?
This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
  1. KudoZ™ Top
  2. English to German
  3. Slang

mudcocks

German translation: Schmutzfinken

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
English term or phrase:mudcocks
German translation:Schmutzfinken
Entered by: 84574 (X)

07:27 Apr 26, 2007
English to German translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Slang / expressions
English term or phrase: mudcocks
A young woman spends some time in a little village in Thailand and tries to make conversation with the locals:

A woman hands me a book called "Phonetic Akha-English Dictionary". This dictionary was compiled by some anthropologist in the forties. The introduction informs me that the Akha tribe enjoy speaking in riddles. That would explain why I encounter pages and pages of phrases such as "How many chickens on rooftop mean bad luck?"

I'm contemplating a particularly fascinating riddle series involving *mudcocks*, when it dawns on me that the group has gone completely silent. They are waiting for me to say something.

Does anybody know what mudcocks are in this context? I only found one reference which was rather scientific and had something to do with purifying water, which I don't think fits in this context. Is it some kind of animal? Or, if it is made up, does anybody have a creative idea how to translate it into German (or should I leave it in English, if that's what it is?)

Any input welcome, thanks!
84574 (X)
Local time: 02:41
Schmutzfinke
Explanation:
bzw. “Dreckspatzen”. I don’t think this refers to some “real” species of birds.
Selected response from:

David Seycek
Austria
Local time: 02:41
Grading comment
I selected this answer, thank you
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3Schmutzfinke
David Seycek
3Schwule
marcusmeeh (X)


  

Answers


14 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
Schmutzfinke


Explanation:
bzw. “Dreckspatzen”. I don’t think this refers to some “real” species of birds.

David Seycek
Austria
Local time: 02:41
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman, Native in CzechCzech
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
I selected this answer, thank you
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

57 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
Schwule


Explanation:
Eine Vermutung ohne es zu wissen:
In den vierziger als das Wörtebuch laut Text geschrieben wurde bedeutete es wohl wörtlich Schlammhahn, also Dreckspatz/Schmutzfink. Wenn man aber cock im heutigen Zusammenhang als Slang für Penis nimmt und dabei noch betrachtet das Mud im Slang oft im Zusammenhang mit analen Inhalten genommen wird, wäre das eine Erklärung für das plötzliche Schweigen...

marcusmeeh (X)
Local time: 02:41
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman
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.

Return to KudoZ list

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:
ProZ.com term search
Search millions of term translations