Glossary entry (derived from question below)
German term or phrase:
Verschiebebahnhof wird nur gespielt
English translation:
(The government is) rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic
Added to glossary by
philgoddard
Jul 21, 2009 09:51
15 yrs ago
German term
Verschiebebahnhof wird nur gespielt
German to English
Social Sciences
Economics
Full sentence: Verschiebebahnhof wird nur gespielt, um der Bevölkerung den Eindruck eines aktiven Krisenmanagements vorzugaukeln.
I know that a Verschiebebahnhof is a shunting station, but that doesn't really seem to fit with the context, particularly in relation to 'spielen' - am hoping someone can help me. Thanks.
I know that a Verschiebebahnhof is a shunting station, but that doesn't really seem to fit with the context, particularly in relation to 'spielen' - am hoping someone can help me. Thanks.
Change log
Jul 22, 2009 15:15: philgoddard Created KOG entry
Proposed translations
+1
3 hrs
Selected
(The government is) rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic
This might be what you're looking for. It means making minor cosmetic changes in the middle of a major crisis.
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Note added at 3 hrs (2009-07-21 13:26:56 GMT)
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The whole sentence could be "The government is trying to give the impression of active crisis management, but is simply rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic".
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Note added at 3 hrs (2009-07-21 13:26:56 GMT)
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The whole sentence could be "The government is trying to give the impression of active crisis management, but is simply rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic".
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks, definitely helpful."
50 mins
shifted to and fro like in a marshalling yard / switchyard (see full sentence below)
This is a figurative meaning, suggesting that something is done repeatedly back and forth to create the illusion of something actually happening.. More context would be needed for an accurate translation, but I would suggest something like:
"Responsibilities are just shifted to and fro like in a marshalling yard to delude the people into believing [...]". Depending on context replace 'responsibilities' with a more appropriate word.
Marshalling yard is AmE and switchyard is BrE.
"Responsibilities are just shifted to and fro like in a marshalling yard to delude the people into believing [...]". Depending on context replace 'responsibilities' with a more appropriate word.
Marshalling yard is AmE and switchyard is BrE.
Peer comment(s):
neutral |
polyglot45
: marshalling yard is UK, classification yard is US and "switchyard" is.... nonsense - you said it was BrE - and that is untrue
3 mins
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"switchyard" is in Pons, Langenscheidt, Routledge, Ernst Wörterbuch der industriellen Technik (well known for not containing nonsense), and many more... and if you google "switchyard trains" you will get lots of American sites that use it this way.
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3 hrs
...playing musical chairs
...changes without really changing anything....
........just a guess....
........just a guess....
Discussion