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  3. Idioms / Maxims / Sayings

die bucklige Verwandtschaft

12:48 Jan 4, 2011
This question was closed without grading. Reason: Other

German to English translations [PRO]
Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
German term or phrase: die bucklige Verwandtschaft
Hello everybody!

Can you help me find the English equivalent for the above term?

Thank you very much in advance for your efforts!

Best regards,

C.
Cora Z


Summary of answers provided
4 +1the whole kit and kaboodle
Ramey Rieger (X)
3 +1unloved relatives
adamgajlewicz
4the whole bunch of rellies
British Diana
3"Kith and Kin"
Andrew Bramhall
3our motley bunch (of relatives)
Beth Jones
Summary of reference entries provided
HTH
casper (X)

Discussion entries: 5





  

Answers


8 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
"die bucklige Verwandtschaft"
"Kith and Kin"


Explanation:
Can have a somewhat pejorative meaning, as in unwished for relations that you have to put up and make do with.

Andrew Bramhall
United Kingdom
Local time: 07:18
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 12

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Lancashireman: Personally, I get on all right with cousins Keith and Ken.
38 mins
  -> Well, bully for you.
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
"die bucklige Verwandtschaft"
the whole kit and kaboodle


Explanation:
http://dict.leo.org/forum/viewUnsolvedquery.php?idThread=165...

or

http://www.gutefrage.net/frage/wieso-sagt-man-eigentlich-die...

my translation is the American version

Ramey Rieger (X)
Germany
Local time: 08:18
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 70

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Ingeborg Gowans (X): that would work; open for interpretation, it can have negative overtones, as well
4 hrs
  -> Thank you, Ingeborg
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33 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
"die bucklige Verwandtschaft"
unloved relatives


Explanation:
http://www.google.pl/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=unlov...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2011-01-04 14:16:17 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

The whole [intensifier] mishpachah or [intensifier] tribe could be good for your context.....


    Reference: http://www.google.pl/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=unlov...
adamgajlewicz
Local time: 08:18
Native speaker of: Native in PolishPolish

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Armorel Young: It may be what it means but I can't imagine people going around saying they've got their "unloved relatives" coming for Christmas. (Since the English love subtlety & irony, they'd be more likely to say "my dear relatives").
3 hrs
  -> I wrote it before the asker gave the context. Thank you.
neutral  Andrew Bramhall: My wife told me the mother-in-law was coming down for Christmas.I pleaded with her to leave her in the attic until at least Easter, but she was having none of it, sadly.
3 hrs
  -> I wrote it before the asker gave the context. Thank you.
neutral  Johanna Timm, PhD: but I definitely agree with "mishpoke"/ *mishpokhe*
4 hrs
  -> I wrote it before the asker gave the context. Thank you.
neutral  British Diana: "Mishpoke" would be a possibility to consider, but is this an accepted spelling?
5 hrs
  -> I didn't know how it's spelled. Therefore, I copied it from my Merriam-Webster.... Thank you.
agree  phillee: this says it all - the others are missing the 'unloved' bit
5 hrs
  -> Thank you, phillee.
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5 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
the whole bunch of rellies


Explanation:
I think this conveys the wry tolerance of less than perfect family members characteristic of the original. Try Googling this term, it is used in a context of visitors turning up for a meal etc..

If something more derogarory is required, then it would be something like "our relatives from hell"

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 5 hrs (2011-01-04 18:44:03 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

derogaTory, of course...

British Diana
Germany
Local time: 08:18
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 19
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11 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
our motley bunch (of relatives)


Explanation:
Another possibility/nuance ...
another frequent usage is:
a motley crew
(hence the rock band's (deliberately misspelled) name)
HTH,
Beth

Example sentence(s):
  • The sailors were a motley bunch.
Beth Jones
Austria
Local time: 08:18
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
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Reference comments


11 mins
Reference: HTH

Reference information:
die bucklige Verwandtschaft ungeliebte Verwandte
umgangssprachlich, salopp, abwertend
http://shortify.com/11694

casper (X)
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
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