Michael Korovkin Jul 8, 2009:

ширка (у Вас) это процесс ширяния :)

А если серьезно, то пишите по возможности коллоквиальнее – просто "by the scruff" – without "of the neck"

Mark Berelekhis Jul 7, 2009:

My mistake, then I must have mixed you up with one of the other posters. And you're very welcome; literary questions like this (well, at least like your other two) are by far my favorite on Kudoz.

Susan Welsh (asker) Jul 7, 2009:

not irked... At the risk of taking this "linguistic discussion" too far, let me just say that I am not at all "irked" by people thanking others for agreeing. My forum post did not say that I was irked or annoyed by it, only that I did not choose to do it and wanted people to understand why and not think it meant I was ungrateful. Some others who responded said they didn't like it or found it offensive, but it wasn't I who said that.

Anyhow, I much appreciate your very knowledgeable and creative help.
<br>
P.S. - Question reopened until 24-hour time period is up: I found a way to "un-close" a question, so I have done so, with the intent of awarding the points to Mark, since unfortunately it is not possible to divide them between him and Yevgen, both of whom were helpful in clarifying my mistake.

Mark Berelekhis Jul 7, 2009:

A difference in philosophy In my mind, if the answerer has helped the asker, even if all they did was point out an errant question, that's still quite helpful and merits some Kudoz. Different things irk different people, just like you're irked by people thanking others for agreeing with them. No biggie :)

Susan Welsh (asker) Jul 7, 2009:

No, that's not what I meant to say... Can I "undo" the closing then?
I chose the option "errant question" as the reason for closing without grading. I thought that's what you were supposed to do in such a case, but maybe I'm wrong.
The answers were extremely helpful.
I figured I'd make up the points to you on all the other questions I undoubtedly will still have on this translation.

Mark Berelekhis Jul 7, 2009:

Susan, so what you're saying is that... ... you didn't find the answers at all helpful, right? Because that's what it means when you close the question without grading.

Susan Welsh (asker) Jul 7, 2009:

misspelling Ooof, you're right, Yevgen, I spelled it wrong which is why I couldn't find it any dictionary. Sorry for bothering you both, and I'm going to close the question.