es más fácil encontrar al ladrón cojo ¿no?
| 17:45 Jun 8, 2011 |
| Spanish to English translations [PRO] Media / Multimedia | |||||
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Answers
7 mins confidence: 
peer agreement (net): +1
peer agreement (net): +1...it's always easier to find a lame thief, right? Explanation: Consider: -------------------------------------------------- Note added at 8 mins (2011-06-08 17:54:31 GMT) -------------------------------------------------- There was no sign of the shoe anywhere. Is there a thief with only one foot at the gym? A lame theft? Or was this just an obnoxious prank? ... steve98052.livejournal.com/849960.html - Cached Saludos!!! eski :)) |
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2 hrs confidence: peer agreement (net): +1
peer agreement (net): +1better the devil you know Explanation: I can't find any trace of this expression, and I assume that the lady invented it. What does she mean? Perhaps the idea is that since she's well aware of what her neighbours are like, she is prepared for any trouble that may arise, and she'll be able to identify the culprit if it does (though I must admit that this is a guess, and her remark is still pretty cryptic to me). So I think the gist of what she's saying is something like the very familiar set phrase I've suggested: all neighbourhoods are rough, but at least here I know what I'm up against. There's a touch of "forewarned is forearmed" in there, perhaps. |
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19 hrs confidence:
it's easier to catch a liar than a cripple, right? Explanation: I'm pretty sure this is referring to the Spanish proverb: "Antes se coge al mentiroso que al cojo", which there isn't much out there about really. This is about the best I could find. I understand the intended meaning as it is easier to catch a liar [out] than it would be to [physically] catch a cripple; in other words, when people lie/deceive, the truth will be found out before long. The English proverb "what goes around, comes around" springs to mind, but doesn't seem to quite fit the bill. I think what the lady means is that thieves/liars/drug-dealers (or whoever) will eventually get their comeuppance, will get sent down, only to be replaced by the next set of good-for-nothings. Her comment "Eso ha sido así siempre" ("This has always been the way") describes a sort of vicious circle that keeps on going and going. And that she feels apathetic about it all and is just getting on with life regardless. Anyway, that’s my tuppence worth! Good luck Reference: http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=&q=%22Antes+se+coge+al+men... |
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5 hrs confidence:
a leopard cannot change its spots/everyone can find fault, few can do bette Explanation: I like Charles' idea but think this is more about the woman saying that it's easy to criticise run-down areas like this (the lame thief is easy to catch) and offer a few proverbs that may get this idea across: everyone must row with the oars he has before you criticise someone, walk a mile in his shoes people in glasshouses don't throw stones Every one can find fault, few can do better -------------------------------------------------- Note added at 1 day37 mins (2011-06-09 18:23:06 GMT) -------------------------------------------------- the first offering, "a leopard cannot change its spots" basically means that the woman is saying, "Look, that's how things are, we have to just put up with them, we have no choice! -------------------------------------------------- Note added at 1 day49 mins (2011-06-09 18:34:55 GMT) -------------------------------------------------- ormeant to say, " put up with THINGS ..." but I suppose "them" could be the nasties in the area |
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