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  3. General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters

höls

English translation: were busy

14:07 Aug 28, 2012
Swedish to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
Swedish term or phrase: höls
From a letter from the 1870s:

"Det var för några dagar sedan en man som gick förbi ett hus der de höls och murade och det kom en tegelsten nedrasande ifrån en murare och träffar mannen i hufvudet."

This one word, 'höls', is really troubling me, so any suggestions you have would be most appreciated.
Richard Green
United Kingdom
Local time: 23:00
English translation:were busy
Explanation:
I agree that this is a variation on "hålla på", this expresssion was common before, but not in use anymore. It could be translated as "they were busy" doing building work or "were occupied" with building work. Hölja can also mean to cover, but that does not make sense in the context.
Selected response from:

Anna Fredrikson
Local time: 00:00
Grading comment
This is probably the most likely answer, thank you for your contribution
3 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4were busy
Anna Fredrikson


Discussion entries: 5





  

Answers


16 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
were busy


Explanation:
I agree that this is a variation on "hålla på", this expresssion was common before, but not in use anymore. It could be translated as "they were busy" doing building work or "were occupied" with building work. Hölja can also mean to cover, but that does not make sense in the context.

Anna Fredrikson
Local time: 00:00
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in SwedishSwedish, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 7
Grading comment
This is probably the most likely answer, thank you for your contribution
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