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. French to English
  3. Idioms / Maxims / Sayings

que l’on se saurait voir

English translation: that should not be seen / that should be kept hidden

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
French term or phrase:que l’on ne saurait voir
English translation:that should not be seen / that should be kept hidden
Entered by: Rachel Ward

20:05 Sep 9, 2014
French to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Idioms / Maxims / Sayings / Art history
French term or phrase: que l’on se saurait voir
From googling this seems to be a set phrase, but I can't find any confirmation for my hunch.

"Dans la première moitié du XIXème siècle, bottes et cuissardes se font bottines et soustraient encore aux regards concupiscents des mâles cette cheville **que l’on se saurait voir**."

Can anybody cast any light on the origins of the phrase? I take it to mean "which should not be seen"...

TIA
Rachel
Rachel Ward
United Kingdom
Local time: 03:26
that should not be seen / that should be kept hidden
Explanation:
see the background to the expression, from Moliere, below...
Selected response from:

heather watson
Italy
Local time: 04:26
Grading comment
Thank you Heather, esp for the background info.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +2that should not be seen / that should be kept hidden
heather watson
4supposed to remain concealed
kashew


Discussion entries: 2





  

Answers


16 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +2
that should not be seen / that should be kept hidden


Explanation:
see the background to the expression, from Moliere, below...


    Reference: http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=1732115
heather watson
Italy
Local time: 04:26
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Thank you Heather, esp for the background info.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  AllegroTrans: that ought not be seen
2 hrs
agree  Daryo: que l’on ne saurait voir
13 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

1 day 15 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
supposed to remain concealed


Explanation:
*

kashew
France
Local time: 04:26
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 40
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
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search