Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Swedish term or phrase:
krusa inga bönder
English translation:
beat around the bush
Added to glossary by
Richard Green
Sep 4, 2012 13:00
11 yrs ago
Swedish term
United Kingdom
A competent and dedicated translator
Native in: English (Variant: British) 
Works in: Swedish to English, Norwegian to English, Danish to English, and 1 more.
krusar inga bönder
Swedish to English
Art/Literary
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
From 1905:
"Jag behöfver ej helsa från gumman För hon har skrifvit sitt egna brefv, så hon krusar inga bönder, säger hon."
Following this, 'gumman' (or Olga, as she is called) writes her first letter introducing herself to her sisters-in-law back in Sweden. Consequently, I wonder if this idiom is best translated as "so she doesn't burn any bridges"? I would appreciate your contributions.
"Jag behöfver ej helsa från gumman För hon har skrifvit sitt egna brefv, så hon krusar inga bönder, säger hon."
Following this, 'gumman' (or Olga, as she is called) writes her first letter introducing herself to her sisters-in-law back in Sweden. Consequently, I wonder if this idiom is best translated as "so she doesn't burn any bridges"? I would appreciate your contributions.
Proposed translations
(English)
| 3 +1 | doesn't cringe for anyone |
J Christian Odehnal
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| 4 | doesn't kowtow to anyone |
Cynthia Coan
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| 2 | she doesn't muck/play/fart*/f**k around |
SafeTex
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Proposed translations
+1
3 hrs
J Christian Odehnal
Czech Republic
Czech Republic
Native in Swedish
Czech Republic
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Native in: Swedish
Works in: English to Swedish, Spanish to Swedish, Czech to Swedish, and 2 more.
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:
15
Selected
doesn't cringe for anyone
From studying the expression in texts on the internet the core meaning of 'krusa bönder' seems to be 'to behave obsequiously', especially when asking a favour. Maybe a reference to the fact that many people couldn't write and had to ask others to write their letters for them? But some people seem to be using it like 'beat around the bush' as opposed to 'say it as it is'.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Ann Kapborg
: What I read into it is that she has already done her courtesy part by writing a letter. For me "krusar inga bönder" always has had the meaning that that's it "take it or leave it" I'm not going to cringe you anyhow. "beat around the bush" in that context.
5 hrs
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Thanks Wrenda! :-)
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3 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks for your contribution! I opted for 'beat around the bush' in this case."
6 hrs
she doesn't muck/play/fart*/f**k around
After reading around and especially the short conversation on a blog (see reference), and given the context of the question
*fart and the other 'f' word are current expressions which have the same meaning but stronger
*fart and the other 'f' word are current expressions which have the same meaning but stronger
1 day 42 mins
Cynthia Coan
United States
United States
Native in English
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Native in: English
Works in: Spanish to English, Swedish to English
Related KudoZ points
:
19
doesn't kowtow to anyone
Another possibility.
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Note added at 1 day48 mins (2012-09-05 13:49:19 GMT)
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Actually, the term "brown-nose" might also work here, as in "doesn't brown-nose anyone." For info. on the origin of that term, see http://www.randomhouse.com/wotd/index.pperl?date=19990723.
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Note added at 1 day48 mins (2012-09-05 13:49:19 GMT)
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Actually, the term "brown-nose" might also work here, as in "doesn't brown-nose anyone." For info. on the origin of that term, see http://www.randomhouse.com/wotd/index.pperl?date=19990723.
Discussion
I'd say something like "I needn't send greetings from the little woman as she has written her own letter - so she's not on anyone's leash, she says."