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English translation: Firetop

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)

German term or phrase:	Feuerhaar
English translation:	Firetop
Entered by:	Ramey Rieger (X)

08:46 Aug 6, 2013

German to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Idioms / Maxims / Sayings / Ancient Roman context/\

German term or phrase: Feuerhaar

Hello honored colleagues!

I am still working on my Roman Legion novel and would appreciate your input on this one.
Feuerhaar, Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus' nickname, is a Tribunus temporarily given command of the Legion encampment. His role is very minor, BUT I need an appropriate translation for Feuerhaar. His character attributes are: direct, young, competent. He is not choleric.

Some context:
>They reported to the Camp Commander, a young Tribunus with a stern face and flaming red hair.

>“Be careful what you say!” Ahenobarbus pointed threateningly, “You are a mere Ostorii; I am a Domitii. My ancestors conquered Gallia Cisalpina and subjugated the Allobroges. We were long Consuls while your family was still herding pigs, so do not overstep your bounds!”

>Ahenobarbus turned his attention to Lucius and his centuria. “Centurion Marcellus?” he began, eying Lucius somewhat skeptically. Lucius nodded. “I heard you were something of a novelty. However, your unit is late. Why is that?“ the Tribunus wanted to know.
Lucius looked at him in surprize. Was that not a question he should have asked Scapula? Ahenobarbus smiled at his expression, “Centurion, I know Quintus Ostorius better than you. The man cannot go to the latrine without first visiting one bordello and two taverns. But I seriously doubt that you have passed many taverns and lupanares on your way here.”

CARROTTOP is NOT appropriate, as the carrot as cultivated foodstuff was not common at the time.
I have:
Flaming Hair (ugh!)
Firehead (blah)

Ramey Rieger (X) KudoZ activity Questions: 93 (none open) (4 closed without grading) Answers: 2945 Germany
Local time: 04:32

Firetop

Explanation:
as suggested along with Rusty, Blaze, Inferno, Ruby-Head, and Coppernob in the discussion

Selected response from:

Lis Liesicke
Local time: 04:32

Grading comment

Thanks Lis, that was the one!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

fiery red hair

Michael Martin, MA

Firetop

Lis Liesicke

Discussion entries: 10

Ramey Rieger (X)

Germany

ASKER

@Edwin

12:09 Aug 6, 2013

Ginger is good if it were more modern, but there was no ginger root in those days and no association with the spiciness. I am reluctant to use any Latin names, as the book is full of them. I could use a Latin nickname and enter it into the glossary.......hmmmm.

Edwin Miles

Germany

Anything you can do…

11:59 Aug 6, 2013

…with "ginger" (might need some historical research)?

Edwin Miles

Germany

Balanus

11:58 Aug 6, 2013

seems to be Latin for "chestnut". I know it's not exactly "fiery red" (more a red-brown), but might work. Apparently, "puniceus" means scarlet. Obviously I'm using a dictionary here, and am far from a Latin scholar!! ;-P

oa_xxx (X)

Germany

@Lis Liesicke

11:52 Aug 6, 2013

I like firetop too, you should post it! Big red is the only other not very inspired nickname I can think of.

Ramey Rieger (X)

Germany

ASKER

WOW!

10:14 Aug 6, 2013

@Brigitte - yes, Rufus occurred to me, but there is another Rufus in the book and the names are highly confusing as it is. Ginger did not come along until much later. Is it still so hot in Austria? It's cooling here and there should be some rain later on - Hallelujah!

@Freekfluweel - Thanks for the trivia! Yes, it is historic fiction. The characters existed, as did the plot. There are about 20 Gaius Marcellii, and many Neros, but the fiddling around with the fiddle Nero comes later in history. The book is at the time of Augustus.
Firelocks is good. Copperhead is a snake.

@Lis - Firetop! Very good.

@Everyone - post your ideas so I can get some peer feedback, please!

BrigitteHilgner

Austria

Rufus

09:32 Aug 6, 2013

Maybe too simple - but that is the Latin word for "red".

freekfluweel

Netherlands

fyi

09:23 Aug 6, 2013

Carrots used to have all kinds of colors but orange! In honor of the Prince of Orange the Dutch cultivated a root with this particular color in the 17th century...!

freekfluweel

Netherlands

fiction?

09:15 Aug 6, 2013

There are 4 Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus, one of them being Nero...

firespark, firelocks, redlightning, redblaze, copperhead...

Lis Liesicke

09:03 Aug 6, 2013

Rusty, Blaze, Inferno, Ruby-Head, Firetop, Coppernob
to get the ball rolling

BrigitteHilgner

Austria

Ginger

09:01 Aug 6, 2013

I take it that the guy had red hair (redhead)? In addition to the heat I have the builders in the flat above mine to cope with - so I won't claim that my brain is functioning adequately.

Answers

1 hr confidence:

fiery red hair

Explanation:
Gets more hits than "flaming red hair"

Michael Martin, MA
United States
Local time: 22:32
Specializes in field
Native speaker of:

German,

English
PRO pts in category: 63

Notes to answerer

Asker: Hi Michael! This is a nickname! Please read the content of the question. I appreciate your help, really I do, but I cannot use this.

3 hrs confidence:

Firetop

Explanation:
as suggested along with Rusty, Blaze, Inferno, Ruby-Head, and Coppernob in the discussion

Lis Liesicke
Local time: 04:32
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 8

Grading comment

Thanks Lis, that was the one!

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