Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Spanish term or phrase:
macaneando
English translation:
talking through my hat
- The asker opted for community grading. The question was closed on 2012-04-28 17:54:07 based on peer agreement (or, if there were too few peer comments, asker preference.)
Apr 24, 2012 19:28
12 yrs ago
Spanish term
macaneando
Spanish to English
Other
Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
This is a text from Argentina from the late 19th century, though the expression is still used. It means to talk about something that you don't really know about, another expression for the same thing in Spanish is "versar". I can't come up with the right term in English without falling into obscenity ("talking out your a...")
The context is:
Es fácil que alguno de mis lectores criollos, sobre todo algunos de los que están tocados de la “ironía canalla” de que XXX nos habla, imaginándose que estoy macaneando, me interrumpa por lo bajo, diciéndome...
Thanks
The context is:
Es fácil que alguno de mis lectores criollos, sobre todo algunos de los que están tocados de la “ironía canalla” de que XXX nos habla, imaginándose que estoy macaneando, me interrumpa por lo bajo, diciéndome...
Thanks
Proposed translations
(English)
References
Talking through your hat | Marcelo González |
Proposed translations
+4
1 hr
Selected
talking through my hat
Apparently this expression originated in the USA in the 19th century. It has the advantage of still being in use, and on both sides of the Atlantic and its meaning is well known.
Sorry I can't post a reference link from this mobile device.
Sorry I can't post a reference link from this mobile device.
Peer comment(s):
agree |
Charles Davis
29 mins
|
thanks, Charles!
|
|
agree |
Yvonne Gallagher
59 mins
|
thanks gallagy!
|
|
agree |
CBHarris
9 hrs
|
thanks CBH
|
|
agree |
Heather Oland
: Here's a reference: http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/talking-through-your-hat....
1 day 28 mins
|
thanks, Heather
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks!"
5 mins
Spanish term (edited):
imaginándose que estoy macaneando
and thinking that I've no idea at all of what I'm talking about,...
Seems to preserve the sense and register of the original.
Suerte.
Suerte.
7 mins
talking nonsense
In Uruguayan Spanish, which is very similar to Argentinian, macenear can also mean two other things: to make a joke or to say something that makes no sense.
For example in old age one tends to ´macanear´. I think that talking nonsense can be a good translation.
For example in old age one tends to ´macanear´. I think that talking nonsense can be a good translation.
58 mins
lying
For me, "macanear" also gives the idea of "lying to" with the purpose of "making fun of". Although "talking nonsense" is also possible, I prefer "lie", due to the context in the source text presented.
3 hrs
talking balderdash
or malarkey
Reference comments
1 hr
Reference:
Talking through your hat
To the extent that an idiomatic expression (or idiom) is really necessary (in this context of a single word), this might be an especially good option. (Well done, Gilla)
Peer comments on this reference comment:
agree |
Evans (X)
: Thanks, Marcelo. My paper dictionary of phrase origins concurs as to its probable date. I think it works quite nicely here.
11 hrs
|
agree |
Heather Oland
: Oops. I didn't see you had already posted this ref. when I posted it above.
1 day 7 mins
|
Discussion
(pop.) En una conversación no decir la verdad y hablar más de lo necesario (LCV.), contar embustes, mentir (YAC.)/ disparatar, decir desatinos, sandeces o tonterías (LS.)/ exagerar/ bromear (FJS). (http://que-significa.com.ar/significado.php?termino=macanear...