This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
  1. KudoZ™ Top
  2. French to English
  3. Marketing / Market Research

se collent et se détachent

English translation: who attach and detach [at will/on command]

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
French term or phrase:se collent et se détachent
English translation:who attach and detach [at will/on command]
Entered by: Helen Shiner

13:58 Oct 9, 2009
French to English translations [PRO]
Marketing - Marketing / Market Research / Play on words
French term or phrase: se collent et se détachent
Hi

This is quite a cute play on words from a quiz to test how compatible you and your partner are.

"Il y a des mecs collants et d'autres comme des Post-It qui collent et se détachent quand tu veux !"

I have "who stick around when you need them and drop off when you don't" but I'm not happy with the "drops off." I played around with "come unstuck" but couldn't make it sound like a quality!

Many thanks for your suggestions.
Sandra Petch
Local time: 17:37
who attach and detach [at will/on command]
Explanation:
Would that do?

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 4 mins (2009-10-09 14:03:33 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Hope it doesn't sound too rude....

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 day21 hrs (2009-10-11 11:20:22 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

Thanks for the points, Sandra - a fun question!
Selected response from:

Helen Shiner
United Kingdom
Local time: 16:37
Grading comment
Thank you!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +6stick around and peel away
B D Finch
4 +4who attach and detach [at will/on command]
Helen Shiner
3(others who) come and go as YOU please
ormiston
3some that stick tight and others that you can unstick like a worn out Post-It
Richardson Lisa
3Some insist on sticking to you like glue and some, like Post-Its that you can easily tear away
Colin Morley (X)
3stick around and let go
Anne-Marie Grant (X)


Discussion entries: 5





  

Answers


4 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +6
se collent et se détachent (play on words)
stick around and peel away


Explanation:
This should work.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 9 mins (2009-10-09 14:07:48 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Or "peel off":

"I too have confided in friends who peel off when you need them most. But I must say that you girls that also got Stickers are the ones I tend to identify ..."
https://www.memorymakersmagazine.com/.../thread-view.asp?

B D Finch
France
Local time: 17:37
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 36

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Martin Cassell: or "peel off"?
3 mins
  -> Thanks Martin. Yes, simultaneous.
agree  Bourth (X): Or "peel off". Mind your pees and ells.
4 mins
  -> Thanks Bourth; likewise.
agree  Cath St Clair (X): I like "peel away"
6 mins
  -> Thanks Cath
agree  Caitlin Stephens (X): "peel off" or "can be peeled off" was my initial thought
8 mins
agree  Emmanuelle Debon
20 mins
agree  HugoSteckel
29 mins
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

25 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
se collent et se détachent (play on words)
(others who) come and go as YOU please


Explanation:
my offering if you want to keep 'guys' as the subject (!)

ormiston
Local time: 17:37
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 46
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
some that stick tight and others that you can unstick like a worn out Post-It


Explanation:
Hi Sandra
This might be ok if it's for a fun sort of quizz, and it keeps the idea of the post it. It's a bit derogatory towards all those poor men out there though!!

Richardson Lisa
France
Local time: 17:37
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

5 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
Some insist on sticking to you like glue and some, like Post-Its that you can easily tear away


Explanation:
Just another slant on the same theme

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 5 hrs (2009-10-09 19:09:56 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

ignore the "that" I sub-edited my own answer badly!

Colin Morley (X)
France
Local time: 17:37
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 10
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

4 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
se collent et se détachent (play on words)
stick around and let go


Explanation:
First thought! I'm sure you'll end up with loads though..

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 20 hrs (2009-10-10 10:43:31 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

As you were looking for something that sounded like a good quality, I thought of men who were able to 'let go' and not cling on to you.

Anne-Marie Grant (X)
Local time: 16:37
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 12
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

3 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +4
se collent et se détachent (play on words)
who attach and detach [at will/on command]


Explanation:
Would that do?

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 4 mins (2009-10-09 14:03:33 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Hope it doesn't sound too rude....

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 day21 hrs (2009-10-11 11:20:22 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

Thanks for the points, Sandra - a fun question!

Helen Shiner
United Kingdom
Local time: 16:37
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 20
Grading comment
Thank you!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Travelin Ann: could work, considering that "Command" is another product from 3M, like Post-Its!///http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Command/home/?WT...
3 mins
  -> Thanks, hooksett416 - I don't know that product, so serendipity!//How funny - thanks for that!
agree  Jenn Mercer: Keep it simple. I think that "at will" works best for this context.
1 hr
  -> Thanks, Jenn, I agree
agree  John Detre
1 hr
  -> Thanks, John
agree  Anne-Marie Grant (X): Neat.
20 hrs
  -> Thanks, Anne-Marie
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:
ProZ.com term search
Search millions of term translations
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search