late of

English translation: who until recently was a clergyman

15:26 Aug 6, 2012
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
English term or phrase: late of
"My captain, you must have ere this perceived, respected sir"—said the imperturbable godly-looking Bunger, slightly bowing to Ahab—"is apt to be facetious at times; he spins us many clever things of that sort. But I may as well say—en passant, as the French remark—that I myself—that is to say, Jack Bunger, late of the reverend clergy—am a strict total abstinence man; I never drink—"

Thank you!
Michael Kislov
Russian Federation
Local time: 12:50
Selected answer:who until recently was a clergyman
Explanation:
Jack is saying that he used to be a clergyman, until recently, suggesting that this is the reason he doesn't drink alcohol.

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Note added at 10 hrs (2012-08-07 02:00:36 GMT)
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From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913 + 1828): two of the defintions of "late":
3. Existing or holding some position not long ago, but not now;
4. Not long past; happening not long ago; recent; as, the late rains; we have received late intelligence.

http://machaut.uchicago.edu/?action=search&word=late&resourc...
Selected response from:

Martin Riordan
Brazil
Local time: 06:50
Grading comment
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
4 +7formerly
Jenni Lukac (X)
4 +2who until recently was a clergyman
Martin Riordan


  

Answers


3 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +7
formerly


Explanation:
My reading of it: He was formerly a member of the clergy.

Jenni Lukac (X)
Local time: 10:50
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 392

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Jack Doughty
2 mins
  -> Thanks, Jack. Have a good afternoon.

agree  kmtext
9 mins
  -> Thanks very much, kmtext.

agree  Oliver Lawrence
1 hr
  -> Thanks very much, Oliver.

agree  Edith Kelly
1 hr
  -> Thanks very much, Edith.

agree  Lucy Phillips: sorry, am agreeing with both - I think this is also possible, perhaps it is clear in context how recently he was a member of the clergy!
6 hrs
  -> Thanks, Lucy. I can't see that "recently" is clear from the text provided.

agree  Madeleine MacRae Klintebo
21 hrs
  -> Thanks very much, Madeleine. Have a good day.

agree  JaneTranslates
1 day 13 hrs
  -> Thanks very much, Jane.
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

4 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
who until recently was a clergyman


Explanation:
Jack is saying that he used to be a clergyman, until recently, suggesting that this is the reason he doesn't drink alcohol.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 10 hrs (2012-08-07 02:00:36 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913 + 1828): two of the defintions of "late":
3. Existing or holding some position not long ago, but not now;
4. Not long past; happening not long ago; recent; as, the late rains; we have received late intelligence.

http://machaut.uchicago.edu/?action=search&word=late&resourc...

Martin Riordan
Brazil
Local time: 06:50
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 275

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Oliver Lawrence: I don't believe that 'late of' necessarily implies 'recently'
1 hr
  -> I was in doubt too, but Websters 1913 version says "Existing or holding some position not long ago, but not now;"

agree  Terry Richards: It's in accordance with "what have you done lately?" i.e. recently. Together with the Webster's, that makes this answer slightly preferable in my book.
1 hr
  -> Thanks, Terry!

agree  Lucy Phillips: not sure it would always mean that, but it's the sense I'm getting in this context.
6 hrs
  -> Thanks, Lucy!
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