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spareblusser

English translation: backburner

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Norwegian term or phrase:spareblusser
English translation:backburner
Entered by: Helen Johnson

09:25 Jun 20, 2003
Norwegian to English translations [PRO]
/ part of a government proposal
Norwegian term or phrase: spareblusser
Prosjektene i det offentlige går ikke i samme grad som i privat sektor på spareblusser....
Can anyone shed any light on this term? I'd be grateful, asap! Helen
Helen Johnson
United Kingdom
Local time: 14:48
on the backburner
Explanation:
Lit.: "economizer flame"
Selected response from:

Sven Petersson
Sweden
Local time: 15:48
Grading comment
Ahh, all is now clear. Nice metaphorical way of translating it as well. Thanks, Sven! Helen :)
3 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5 +4minimum effort, severely restricted activity level
Lars Finsen
5on the backburner
Sven Petersson


  

Answers


8 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
on the backburner


Explanation:
Lit.: "economizer flame"

Sven Petersson
Sweden
Local time: 15:48
Native speaker of: Native in SwedishSwedish, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in pair: 1166
Grading comment
Ahh, all is now clear. Nice metaphorical way of translating it as well. Thanks, Sven! Helen :)
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

9 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +4
minimum effort, severely restricted activity level


Explanation:
"Gå på sparebluss" is a metaphor from chemistry, where "sparebluss" is a little flame atop the Bunsen burner that just keeps the burner going so that you don't need to light it again next time you need it. Used metaphorically for projects or activities that are performed on a minimum level, often for economical reasons.

Lars Finsen
Local time: 15:48
Native speaker of: Native in NorwegianNorwegian
PRO pts in pair: 44

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  wiita: but directly translated: sparebluss= pilot light
6 mins
agree  Nina1975: But it is " på sparebluss",NOT spareblusser.
15 mins
agree  Terry Arness
32 mins
agree  Tore Bjerkek
2 hrs
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