Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Spanish term or phrase:
unos exiguos pantalones a años luz de ser cortos
English translation:
skimpy shorts that left nothing to the imagination
Added to glossary by
Lisa McCarthy
Sep 25, 2008 01:00
15 yrs ago
2 viewers *
Spanish term
Spain
Analytical and creative (DipTrans, MA)
Native in: English 
Works in: Spanish to English, Galician to English, English
unos exiguos pantalones a años luz de ser cortos
Spanish to English
Art/Literary
Poetry & Literature
Modern Novel
Se agacha dándome la espalda, con las piernas muy abiertas, poniendo a prueba la resistencia de *unos exiguos pantalones a años luz de ser cortos*.
OK. So in the protagonist's dream, which is supposed to be kind of over the top and silly, this dangerous sexy lady is wearing short shorts. This is the problem I have: in English I can't say "tight trousers that are light years away/beyond being short" because trousers are not the same as shorts. Any ideas? I really appreciate the help.
UK English, and thanks very much! :)
OK. So in the protagonist's dream, which is supposed to be kind of over the top and silly, this dangerous sexy lady is wearing short shorts. This is the problem I have: in English I can't say "tight trousers that are light years away/beyond being short" because trousers are not the same as shorts. Any ideas? I really appreciate the help.
UK English, and thanks very much! :)
Proposed translations
(English)
Change log
Sep 29, 2008 11:56: Lisa McCarthy Created KOG entry
Proposed translations
+2
9 hrs
Lisa McCarthy
Spain
Spain
Native in English
Spain
Especialista de marketing
Native in: English
Works in: Spanish to English, Catalan to English
Related KudoZ points
:
104
Selected
skimpy shorts that left nothing to the imagination/that were far from decent
Just another way of saying the same thing if you don´t mind moving away from a literal translation
maybe you could use ""(tight little) HOTPANTS" instead of shorts (it is a provocative dream after all!)
maybe you could use ""(tight little) HOTPANTS" instead of shorts (it is a provocative dream after all!)
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Great response, thanks everyone. Deborah's answer was excellent, but I actually used Lisa's, which is lovely and simple and fits perfectly. Thanks everyone. :)"
+6
14 mins
a pair of skimpy shorts that were light years away from covering her thighs/legs
maybe someone else has a better idea :-)
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Mónica Sauza
: Good! However, I would use "meager" for "skimpy"... ;)
11 mins
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many thanks for the suggestion Mónica! Hugs :-) Deb
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| agree |
Melissa Valeen
: agreed, I also posted skimpy (sorry)
11 mins
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thanks Melissa, and your answer has the benefit of being "skimpier" than mine! chuckle :-) Deb
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| agree |
Rosa Elena Lozano Arton
: Really amazing again!
1 hr
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many thanks Rosa Elena :-) Deborah
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| agree |
Beatriz Ramírez de Haro
5 hrs
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thanks again Bea, hugs :-) Deb
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| agree |
MarinaM
18 hrs
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many thanks Marina, enjoy your afternoon! :-) Deborah
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| agree |
Egmont
18 hrs
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gracias otra vez Egmont, un abrazo :-) Deborah
|
+2
26 mins
tiny pants light years away from being shorts.
ok
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Note added at 37 mins (2008-09-25 01:37:50 GMT)
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tiny trousers light years away from being shorts
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Note added at 37 mins (2008-09-25 01:37:50 GMT)
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tiny trousers light years away from being shorts
Note from asker:
| Sure, but in UK English 'pants' are underwear! :) |
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Marian Martin (X)
: Tiny is a good alternative to skimpy.Also like the parallel "being shorts/being short" :-)
7 mins
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| agree |
Melissa Valeen
: agree as well, "skimpy", as I said, sounds a little too Penthouse.
56 mins
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| neutral |
Cinnamon Nolan
: Pants=trousers=LONG, not short.
1 hr
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+2
1 hr
Cinnamon Nolan
Spain
Spain
Native in English
Spain
Quality- Professionalism - Experience
Native in: English (Variants: UK, British, US, US South)
Works in: Spanish to English
Related KudoZ points
:
28
wee short shorts light years (away) from being demure
or "minuscule hot pants .... being modest".
HTH.
HTH.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Melissa Valeen
: HAH we are getting shorter and shorter.... they should be nanoshorts.
4 mins
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LOL Thanks, Melissa! :-) (getting towards a g-string....)
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| agree |
kironne
: Wee!! I like that!!
4 hrs
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Thanks, Kironne! ;->
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+1
25 mins
Her little shorts were light years beyond skimpy/small... et al
Alternatively: Hip-hugging shorts/hiphuggers/hotpants, skimpy/little/small shorts
What's wrong with saying "shorts"? Although I don't like "hotpants" (sounds like something my MUM would say, but if it's a ridiculous dream...), the terms "skimpy" or "hip-huggers" bring to mind the semi-pornographic tone of your Manga man. If the tone is more sensuous, you could substitute with "little" shorts (my modest shot at it). You could also somehow make a reference to the woman's legs appearing "light-year" like, but that may be straying too far.
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Note added at 1 hr (2008-09-25 02:33:06 GMT)
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Her tiny shorts, which couldn't be touched in a thousand light years..."
...which couldn't be reached by light years
...beyond a light year's reach
any combos sound good?
What's wrong with saying "shorts"? Although I don't like "hotpants" (sounds like something my MUM would say, but if it's a ridiculous dream...), the terms "skimpy" or "hip-huggers" bring to mind the semi-pornographic tone of your Manga man. If the tone is more sensuous, you could substitute with "little" shorts (my modest shot at it). You could also somehow make a reference to the woman's legs appearing "light-year" like, but that may be straying too far.
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Note added at 1 hr (2008-09-25 02:33:06 GMT)
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Her tiny shorts, which couldn't be touched in a thousand light years..."
...which couldn't be reached by light years
...beyond a light year's reach
any combos sound good?
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Bubo Coroman (X)
: this is a neat way to say it!
45 mins
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thanks...this story sounds fun!
|
4 hrs
pants so skimpy that they would make a lingerie salesperson (or aficionado) so confused
I do not really like the "light years" reference, very common in Italian, so I opted for a different approach, that in my mind gives the idea.
I hope it will help you in finding the best answer to your question.
Have a nice day, Milnea
I hope it will help you in finding the best answer to your question.
Have a nice day, Milnea
5 hrs
scanty shorts, WAY beyond short/light years from short
Had the urge to contribute!
: )
7 hrs
tight shorts if you could call them that, / if that is what you would call them, so skimpy were they
..
1 day 9 mins
COSME R. COLÓN
United States
United States
Native in Spanish
Specializes in field
United States
The fastest translating both languages.
Native in: Spanish 
Works in: Spanish to English, English to Spanish
Related KudoZ points
:
4
the scanty pants were far from being short.
Common language usage.
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