orecchie da lepre

17:51 Feb 5, 2019
Italian to English translations [Non-PRO]
Art/Literary - Poetry & Literature
Italian term or phrase: orecchie da lepre
Hello everyone,

I'm currently translating a (slightly humorous) extract from a novel written by Stefano Benni, called 'Il bar sotto il mare'. I have come across the phrase "orecchie da lepre" in a slightly bewildering context, and I'm wondering if anyone can shed any light!

The text is describing the arrival of a whaling ship (no year is specified, but it is implied that we are in the 1700/1800s) at a port, and the members of high society who are waiting on the jetty. The fiancee of the captain of the ship is described, and this is where the puzzling "hare's ears" phrase comes in:

the fiancee, an English noble-woman, is "in competo albicocca, il volto incorniciato da nobili orecchie da lepre" ("in an apricot outfit, her face framed by...???").

I'm wondering whether the "hare's ears" refer to some kind of bonnet that may have been worn at the time..? If not I'm completely stumped, and I would be really grateful for any thoughts!

Thanks, Jess
Jesswood
United Kingdom
Local time: 15:33


Summary of answers provided
3 +1enormous pointed ears
Fiona Grace Peterson
3framed by hare fur ears
Lisa Jane


Discussion entries: 3





  

Answers


33 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
framed by hare fur ears


Explanation:
Or the ears of her hare fur bonnet.
I read somewhere that apparently hare fur was considered a rarity.

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Note added at 34 mins (2019-02-05 18:26:12 GMT)
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Or simply 'hare hat ears'

Lisa Jane
Italy
Local time: 16:33
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in ItalianItalian
PRO pts in category: 136
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34 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
enormous pointed ears


Explanation:
I think this is probably what he means. Something akin to Mr Spock.

Fiona Grace Peterson
Italy
Local time: 16:33
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 44

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Peter Cox
21 hrs
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