Glossary entry (derived from question below)
English term or phrase:
short-fused martinet
French translation:
officier irascible intraitable sur la discipline
Added to glossary by
Michele Lemaire
Jun 15, 2012 22:29
11 yrs ago
English term
Precision, Honesty, Reliability (quoted)
Native in: French 
, English
Works in: English to French, French to English
short-fused martinet
English to French
Art/Literary
History
British colonial empire
Context:
This is a description of the young major Douglas Haig when he entered the army before WWI, at the time of the Sudan war (1898).
Je pense traduire 'a reputation as a short-fused martinet'
par 'un homme à la réplique rapide'
Qu'en pensez-vous?
This is a description of the young major Douglas Haig when he entered the army before WWI, at the time of the Sudan war (1898).
Je pense traduire 'a reputation as a short-fused martinet'
par 'un homme à la réplique rapide'
Qu'en pensez-vous?
Proposed translations
(French)
| 4 +2 | officier irascible intraitable sur la discipline |
FX Fraipont (X)
|
| 4 | à la détente rapide/à la gâchette facile |
HERBET Abel
|
| 3 | officier soupe au lait et strict sur la discipline |
pettiefleur
|
Proposed translations
+2
9 hrs
Selected
officier irascible intraitable sur la discipline
"Edward St. John Neale - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_St._John_Neale
He was something of a martinet (understandable in view of his military background), had a short fuse . . . [and] was probably not outstandingly intelligent." ..."
"mar·ti·net [mahr-tn-et, mahr-tn-et] Show IPA
noun
1. a strict disciplinarian, especially a military one.
2. someone who stubbornly adheres to methods or rules.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/martinet?s=t
"short fuse
noun
a quick temper: A person with a short fuse has to be handled diplomatically. "
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/short fuse?o=100074
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_St._John_Neale
He was something of a martinet (understandable in view of his military background), had a short fuse . . . [and] was probably not outstandingly intelligent." ..."
"mar·ti·net [mahr-tn-et, mahr-tn-et] Show IPA
noun
1. a strict disciplinarian, especially a military one.
2. someone who stubbornly adheres to methods or rules.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/martinet?s=t
"short fuse
noun
a quick temper: A person with a short fuse has to be handled diplomatically. "
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/short fuse?o=100074
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Merci a tous"
12 hrs
HERBET Abel
Native in French
Works in field
Graduate engineer
Native in: French (Variant: Standard-France)
Works in: English to French, French to English
à la détente rapide/à la gâchette facile
qui réagit trop vite
2 days 14 hrs
pettiefleur
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Native in French
Specializes in field
United Kingdom
Accurate, reliable and fast
Native in: French
Works in: English to French, French to English
Discussion
to be a martinet : être impitoyable or intraitable en matière de discipline
to have a short fuse * , to be on a short fuse * (figurative use) : se mettre facilement en rogne * | être soupe au lait
So there is both the notion of severity or strictness, as well as the idea of easily made angry.