Feb 16, 2009 16:09
15 yrs ago
3 viewers *
German term
Trick 17 mit Selbstüberlistung
German to English
Other
Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
figure of speech
"Manche nennen das vielleicht Trick 17 mit Selbstüberlistung, aber..."
This is from a reader's positive testimony for a book and self-help method. I've seen it translated as "catch 22" but there is some controversy as to the accuracy of this. Does anybody have a good English equivalent?
This is from a reader's positive testimony for a book and self-help method. I've seen it translated as "catch 22" but there is some controversy as to the accuracy of this. Does anybody have a good English equivalent?
Proposed translations
(English)
| 2 +3 | duct-tape fix-all (with a bit of self-swindle) |
Derek Gill Franßen
|
| 3 | over-reaching oneself with a catch-all cure |
Helen Shiner
|
| 2 | fool yourself... |
Anne Schulz
|
Proposed translations
+3
36 mins
Derek Gill Franßen
Germany
Germany
Native in English
Germany
German Attorney & University Lecturer
Native in: English
Works in: German to English, English, English to German, and 1 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
24
Selected
duct-tape fix-all (with a bit of self-swindle)
..., i.e., "Some may see it as a 'duct-tape fix-all' (with a bit of self-swindle), but [...]."
Some examples:
#
Ethnomusicology: Travel the World through Music
- [ Diese Seite übersetzen ]
Skill aside, ingenuity and a duct-tape-fix-all mentality can often come in handy. Says Appleton, “I’ve worked in very rural areas with no electricity, ...
thetravelersnotebook.com/travel-and-adventure-jobs/ethnomusicology-travel-the-world-through-music/ - 53k - Im Cache - Ähnliche Seiten
#
Avalanchegear.net Online Avalanche gear Store
- [ Diese Seite übersetzen ]
... Duct Tape (fix all); Webbing (used for building splints for broken limbs / and or emergency sleds to carry hurt victims); High energy food / snacks ...
https://www.avalanchegear.net/pages/avalanche_gear_check_lis... - 65k - Im Cache - Ähnliche Seiten
#
The HullaBoard - View Profile: Tubamaphone
- [ Diese Seite übersetzen ]
Signature. It's all Fun and games until somone loses and eye... then it's just pure fun! May Duct tape fix all of your lifes problems. ...
www.hulla.info/board/member.php?u=9544 - 15k - Im Cache - Ähnliche Seiten
#
Lizenzfreies Archivfoto: Duct Tape Fix All Solution. | iStockphoto.com
Lizenzfreies Archivbild, Duct Tape Fix All Solution., Copyright Steven Robertson, iStockphoto LP.
deutsch.istockphoto.com/file_closeup/objects-equipment/industrial.../5940811-duct-tape-fix-all-solution.php... - 39k - Im Cache - Ähnliche Seiten
Some examples:
#
Ethnomusicology: Travel the World through Music
- [ Diese Seite übersetzen ]
Skill aside, ingenuity and a duct-tape-fix-all mentality can often come in handy. Says Appleton, “I’ve worked in very rural areas with no electricity, ...
thetravelersnotebook.com/travel-and-adventure-jobs/ethnomusicology-travel-the-world-through-music/ - 53k - Im Cache - Ähnliche Seiten
#
Avalanchegear.net Online Avalanche gear Store
- [ Diese Seite übersetzen ]
... Duct Tape (fix all); Webbing (used for building splints for broken limbs / and or emergency sleds to carry hurt victims); High energy food / snacks ...
https://www.avalanchegear.net/pages/avalanche_gear_check_lis... - 65k - Im Cache - Ähnliche Seiten
#
The HullaBoard - View Profile: Tubamaphone
- [ Diese Seite übersetzen ]
Signature. It's all Fun and games until somone loses and eye... then it's just pure fun! May Duct tape fix all of your lifes problems. ...
www.hulla.info/board/member.php?u=9544 - 15k - Im Cache - Ähnliche Seiten
#
Lizenzfreies Archivfoto: Duct Tape Fix All Solution. | iStockphoto.com
Lizenzfreies Archivbild, Duct Tape Fix All Solution., Copyright Steven Robertson, iStockphoto LP.
deutsch.istockphoto.com/file_closeup/objects-equipment/industrial.../5940811-duct-tape-fix-all-solution.php... - 39k - Im Cache - Ähnliche Seiten
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Paul Cohen
: I like duck-tape fix-all, Derek. It also very nicely captures the meaning of "Trick 17" that I'm familiar with, i.e., an unorthodox repair job around the house that you wouldn't dare show to a professional carpenter, plumber or whatever.
1 hr
|
|
We MacGyver'ed everything with duct tape back in the day! ;-D
|
|
| agree |
Bernhard Sulzer
: I think that this is the right direction. maybe also "that/the old (special) trick with a bit of duping/outsmarting yourself"
2 hrs
|
|
Thank you, Bernhard. :)
|
|
| agree |
Harald Moelzer (medical-translator)
13 hrs
|
|
Thank you, Harald. :)
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Selected automatically based on peer agreement."
1 hr
Helen Shiner
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Native in English
United Kingdom
Arts/Academic translator - Art historian
Native in: English
Works in: German to English, French to English
Related KudoZ points
:
74
over-reaching oneself with a catch-all cure
... shooting oneself in the foot with a catch-all cure ...
Rather too much to get into one expression!
Rather too much to get into one expression!
14 hrs
fool yourself...
...clean, smart, slim, fit,...
FWIW, in my experience, the "Selbstüberlistung" part is often predominant if someone uses this phrase in everyday language.
The meaning may depend on the kind of message of this self help book.
FWIW, in my experience, the "Selbstüberlistung" part is often predominant if someone uses this phrase in everyday language.
The meaning may depend on the kind of message of this self help book.
Reference comments
7 mins
Kim Metzger
Mexico
Mexico
Native in English
Works in field
Mexico
Committed to Quality and Service
Native in: English (Variant: US) 
Works in: German to English
Related KudoZ points
:
156
Reference:
Trick 17
2 hrs
Paul Cohen
Greenland
Greenland
Native in English
Greenland
Will work for blubber
Native in: English
Works in: German to English, French to English, Danish to English
Related KudoZ points
:
32
Reference:
Trick 17 -- a definition
Trick siebzehn (salopp) - it/s.th. is the old trick it/s.th. is the old play
Example:
Wie hast du das denn hingekriegt, vom Bürgermeister sofort empfangen zu werden?
Trick siebzehn! Ich hab' sagen lassen, das Ergebnis unserer Verhandlung würde in der Presse erscheinen. Du weißt doch, was für einen Strang der vor der Presse hat.
Source: Routledge German - English Dictionary of Idioms (1995)
Example:
Wie hast du das denn hingekriegt, vom Bürgermeister sofort empfangen zu werden?
Trick siebzehn! Ich hab' sagen lassen, das Ergebnis unserer Verhandlung würde in der Presse erscheinen. Du weißt doch, was für einen Strang der vor der Presse hat.
Source: Routledge German - English Dictionary of Idioms (1995)
Peer comments on this reference comment:
| agree |
Johanna Timm, PhD
: Easy as pie!Piece of cake!
55 mins
|
|
yeah!
|
39 mins
Johanna Timm, PhD
Canada
Canada
Native in German
Canada
Friendly, fast & certified!
Native in: German (Variants: Austrian, Germany, Swiss, Platt / Nieder (Low German))
Works in: English to German, German to English, German
Related KudoZ points
:
90
Reference:
Selbstüberlistung...
...ist, wenn "man sich mal wieder sehr schlau vorkam und dabei ein Eigentor geschossen hat."
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Note added at 2 hrs (2009-02-16 18:41:03 GMT)
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it's definitely a self-mocking comment. For instance: you spent hours KudoZing and coming up with absolutely fantastic answers when you suddenly realize that the deadline for that most important of all clients of yours passed 3 hours ago - that would be trick 17 mit Selbstüberlistung :-)
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Note added at 2 hrs (2009-02-16 18:41:03 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
it's definitely a self-mocking comment. For instance: you spent hours KudoZing and coming up with absolutely fantastic answers when you suddenly realize that the deadline for that most important of all clients of yours passed 3 hours ago - that would be trick 17 mit Selbstüberlistung :-)
Reference:
Peer comments on this reference comment:
| agree |
Helen Shiner
: over-reaching oneself + shooting oneself in the foot.
23 mins
|
| agree |
Paul Cohen
: Perhaps a close cousin to "Selbsttäuschung"? Would "self-delusion" or "deluding oneself" fit here?
1 hr
|
| agree |
Inge Meinzer
1 hr
|
| agree |
Derek Gill Franßen
: Yes, that is what I meant (or tried to mean): This person is, or would need to be, kidding themself to believe that it really is that way. But perhaps I am misunderstanding not only the text, but what you mean as well. =)
18 hrs
|
| agree |
Lonnie Legg
: The usage is self-ironic, but I think it refers to using a trick that helps suspends one's skeptical-defense mechanism to positive effect--the Indian pebble-in-the-mouth trick (sucking on it, you forget your thirst), as it were.
20 hrs
|
Discussion
What comes after 'aber'?