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  3. Idioms / Maxims / Sayings

Kräht der Hahn auf dem Mist, ändert sich das Wetter oder bleibt, wie es ist

English translation: If the rooster crows at the break of day, the weather may change or stay the same way. // If the cockerel crows from his favorite spot, the weather may change or again it may not.

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
German term or phrase:Kräht der Hahn auf dem Mist, ändert sich das Wetter oder bleibt, wie es ist
English translation:If the rooster crows at the break of day, the weather may change or stay the same way. // If the cockerel crows from his favorite spot, the weather may change or again it may not.

12:25 Feb 1, 2011
    The asker opted for community grading. The question was closed on 2011-02-04 16:54:15 based on peer agreement (or, if there were too few peer comments, asker preference.)


German to English translations [PRO]
Idioms / Maxims / Sayings / Proverbs
German term or phrase: Kräht der Hahn auf dem Mist, ändert sich das Wetter oder bleibt, wie es ist
This is a silly old saying in German which, of course, has no real meaning. Is there anything comparable in English, perhaps from a different field? Something along the lines of "if this happens, this will be the result - or not"?

I have found this in a book on strategy. The author maintains that meaningless phrases and tautologies are used in strategic planning, in particular forecasts, much too often; he uses this proverb as an example of a tautology.
Jutta Scherer
Germany
Local time: 08:43
How about translating it?
Explanation:
If the cockerel crows from his favourite spot
The weather may change, or again it may not.

If the cockerel crows at break of day
The weather may change or may stay the same way.

When the cockerel crows from the farm's dung hill
The weather may change or may stay the same still.

When the cockerel crows from the place that is his
The weather may change or may stay as it is.


... and so on
Selected response from:

Armorel Young
Local time: 07:43
Grading comment
Wow! This is it.
I had thought of translating it but obviously I am not as gifted a poetess as you are. Still trying to make up my mind between 1 and 2, which I like best, but all four are wonderful.
Thanks a lot!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +16How about translating it?
Armorel Young
2 +3If you can see the mountain it's going to rain; if you can't it's already raining.
Cilian O'Tuama
3 +2Confucious, he say: if things don`t change, they`ll stay as they are
Frosty
3 +1Six of one, half a dozen of the other
Mech White
4Step on a crack, you'll break your mother's back
Ramey Rieger (X)
3 +1When rooster crows from dungheap's top Weather will soon change--or not.
Ramona Borsch
3 -1Red sky at night , shepherd's delight; red sky in the morning, shepherd's warning.
Andrew Bramhall


Discussion entries: 5





  

Answers


4 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): -1
"Kräht der Hahn auf dem Mist, ändert sich das Wetter oder bleibt, wie es ist"
Red sky at night , shepherd's delight; red sky in the morning, shepherd's warning.


Explanation:
This is a similar old wives tale,with no basis in truth, it;s just that red sky at night means a dry following day, but red sky in the morning means it will ruin the shepherd's working day by raining.
Not an exact equivalent, see if anyone has better ideas.!

Andrew Bramhall
United Kingdom
Local time: 07:43
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 12
Notes to answerer
Asker: Actually, I would have assumed this one to have a very precise meaning: if the sky is red in the evening the weather will be good the next day; if it's red in the morning it won't. In "my" proverb the meaning is: if the rooster crows, things might change or not (so in other words: it means nothing.)


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Ramey Rieger (X): I know this as "sailor's". My Grandfather said that it was an important signal - just an FYI//still, you're out-racing those tanks!
2 mins
  -> Well, I came from a family of landlubbers.
neutral  Cilian O'Tuama: am familiar with this too, but where is the contradiction?
39 mins
neutral  Helen Shiner: seems to be quite a reliable signal actually, and I'm not an old wife (yet).
2 hrs
disagree  Susanna MacKenzie: This German proverb has nothing to do with the weather. It is often used to describe the unpredictability and futility of life. I like Mech's suggestion below.
3 hrs
neutral  Jim Tucker (X): There is in fact some truth to the maxim, in the middle latitudes. It requires a long explanation, but you can search for it.
6 hrs
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26 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
Six of one, half a dozen of the other


Explanation:
similar in the meaning to the German proverb, meaning either way is possible

Mech White
Local time: 08:43
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman, Native in EnglishEnglish
Notes to answerer
Asker: In this case I would understand the meaning to be "you can do it either way". It's close, but not the same...


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Ramey Rieger (X): gehoppt wie gedoppt
3 mins
agree  Susanna MacKenzie
3 hrs
  -> Thank you SMacKenzie
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4 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
"Kräht der Hahn auf dem Mist, ändert sich das Wetter oder bleibt, wie es ist"
Step on a crack, you'll break your mother's back


Explanation:
Such as...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 40 mins (2011-02-01 13:05:38 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

If it's magic, you're a magician

What goes up, must come down

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2011-02-01 13:40:51 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Still trying to get my mind around this. My Grandmother had TONS of such adages - but they were mostly admonitory or "philosophical"

Tomorrow will come as sure as the sun rises in the East

If I were you, but I'm not



--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2011-02-01 13:48:49 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

If your nose wasn't on your face, you wouldn't smell well.
(I loved that one!)



Ramey Rieger (X)
Germany
Local time: 08:43
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 70
Notes to answerer
Asker: Ahem... I'm afraid we're not there yet. Although I have to say, if I had to choose I would tend towards "what goes up...". At least it has some kind of "if - then" element and it doesn't have a lot of meaning


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Kim Metzger: The asker is looking for a tautology. Something along the lines of "if this happens, this will be the result - or not"? / http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Tautology
7 mins
  -> and this isn't?// yes, I just checked it out - so if it's magic, you're a magician - I know I annoy you, but thanks all the same! (I annoy myself sometimes)
neutral  Cilian O'Tuama: and if you don't step on a crack, you'll break her back anyway ?
39 mins
  -> You don't know my mother! But, yes, it's WRONG as far a tautology is concerned, which is what is being asked for, which is why I think I'll just go drown myself for a bit.
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +16
How about translating it?


Explanation:
If the cockerel crows from his favourite spot
The weather may change, or again it may not.

If the cockerel crows at break of day
The weather may change or may stay the same way.

When the cockerel crows from the farm's dung hill
The weather may change or may stay the same still.

When the cockerel crows from the place that is his
The weather may change or may stay as it is.


... and so on

Armorel Young
Local time: 07:43
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 134
Grading comment
Wow! This is it.
I had thought of translating it but obviously I am not as gifted a poetess as you are. Still trying to make up my mind between 1 and 2, which I like best, but all four are wonderful.
Thanks a lot!
Notes to answerer
Asker: Sorry, Armorel, I didn't realize it would take this long for you to get your points. I selected your answer soon after you entered it, and since it was still early the system offered the peer agreement option. I was certain you would "win" anyway. (:-)) Thanks for these great suggestions, I ended up using No. 1.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Kim Metzger: Yes. I don't think a similar English proverb exists.
17 mins
agree  BrigitteHilgner: I prefer your first suggestion.
23 mins
agree  Lancashireman: Oo-aargh, there be an old farmer's proverb, there be...
23 mins
agree  Helen Shiner: You're a natural
36 mins
agree  TonyTK: The first one. The third one's so awful it could be one of mine.
44 mins
agree  Wendy Streitparth: And all that within an hour!
1 hr
agree  Inge Meinzer: Awesome!
2 hrs
agree  Diana Loos: Superb! You must use one of these!
2 hrs
agree  Ramey Rieger (X): You're BRILLIANT!
3 hrs
agree  philgoddard: If your cockerel claims he can forecast the rain, apply a sharp knife to his jugular vein.
4 hrs
  -> And if he predicts that the sun's gonna shine, Put him on the barbie and serve him with wine.
agree  Margaret Hiley: I like the first one!
5 hrs
agree  Ingeborg Gowans (X): definitely the first one: you are a poet laureate!
7 hrs
agree  Horst Huber (X): Bravo! You are an inspiration. Rooster's riff on our manure, weather to turn or to endure.
9 hrs
agree  Paul Cohen: Cock-a-doodle-doodoo!
10 hrs
agree  Nicola Wood: First suggestion without a doubt!
18 hrs
agree  Bernhard Sulzer: ...und wenn das Huhn dann gackert im Stroh, hats ein Ei gelegt oder es - gackert nur so. :)
2 days 35 mins
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4 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 2/5Answerer confidence 2/5 peer agreement (net): +3
If you can see the mountain it's going to rain; if you can't it's already raining.


Explanation:
This is one I've actually heard, though it's not quite the same.

Cilian O'Tuama
Germany
Local time: 08:43
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 109

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Lancashireman: Q: What's the quickest route to Dublin? A: Well, I wouldn't start from here ...
55 mins
  -> 'My real shoe size is four,' said Anne. 'But I'm wearing sevens cos fours hurt'
agree  Helen Shiner: About the right kind of nonsensical whimsy.//More, more!!
1 hr
  -> I'll have fish and chips twice,' said Murphy. / 'Very well,' said the shopkeeper. 'The fish won't be long.' / 'Then they'd better be fat,' said Murphy. (sorry :-))
agree  Frosty: I recall that this very much applied to the view onto Slieve Donard from my office in the barracks at Ballykinler. Magnificent view on a clear day, such a pity that we didn't have many of them!
1 day 6 hrs
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9 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +2
Confucious, he say: if things don`t change, they`ll stay as they are


Explanation:
A piece of nonsense that`s about as old as the hills.

Frosty
Local time: 08:43
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Cilian O'Tuama: it's hard to make predictions, especially about the future
2 hrs
  -> Agreed, after all these years of civilisation and scientific endeavour, about the only certainties in life are taxes and death!
agree  Lancashireman: Hi Frosty. Haven’t you got a proper (English) apostrophe on your keyboard? (don`t … they`ll ...)
3 hrs
  -> After much rummaging around and experimentation, I found this one: don't..they'll...isn't. Seems to fit the bill.
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10 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
When rooster crows from dungheap's top Weather will soon change--or not.


Explanation:
I am not sure whether there is a real equivalent to this German proverb in English, but I guess the English version given on wikiquote could work ;)


    Reference: http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Bauernregeln_(humorous)
Ramona Borsch
Spain
Local time: 08:43
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Barbara Wiebking
22 hrs
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