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. English
  3. General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters

when you get through plowing

English translation: you are an agricultural labourer

11:51 Oct 14, 2012
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
English term or phrase: when you get through plowing
"'Common humanity, Dr. Whoa-ha,' says Mr. Biddle, 'ought to prevent your deserting a fellow-human in distress.'

"'Dr. Waugh-hoo, when you get through plowing,' says I. And then I walks back to the bed and throws back my long hair.

"'Mr. Mayor,' says I, 'there is only one hope for you. Drugs will do you no good. But there is another power higher yet, although drugs are high enough,' says I.

Thank you!
Michael Kislov
Russian Federation
Local time: 13:41
Selected answer:you are an agricultural labourer
Explanation:
Dr. Waugh-hoo is correcting Mr. Biddle's pronunciation of his name, just as Biddle did for him when Waugh-hoo called him "Fiddle". I think the phrase you gave, which means "once you are finished ploughing", is Waugh-hoo's way of comparing Biddle to an agricultural labourer, i.e. an uncouth person.

But it is also connected to what Biddle mistakenly called him. "Whoa-ha" is what a ploughman would shout at the horse pulling the plough, but I'm not sure if it means "go faster" or "stop"! I think the latter...
Selected response from:

Martin Riordan
Brazil
Local time: 07:41
Grading comment
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
4 +4you are an agricultural labourer
Martin Riordan


  

Answers


45 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +4
you are an agricultural labourer


Explanation:
Dr. Waugh-hoo is correcting Mr. Biddle's pronunciation of his name, just as Biddle did for him when Waugh-hoo called him "Fiddle". I think the phrase you gave, which means "once you are finished ploughing", is Waugh-hoo's way of comparing Biddle to an agricultural labourer, i.e. an uncouth person.

But it is also connected to what Biddle mistakenly called him. "Whoa-ha" is what a ploughman would shout at the horse pulling the plough, but I'm not sure if it means "go faster" or "stop"! I think the latter...


Martin Riordan
Brazil
Local time: 07:41
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 275

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Yvonne Gallagher: "whoa" means "stop" so yes, he's saying you're not speaking to a horse here so pronounce my name correctly
4 mins
  -> Thanks, gallagy2!
agree  Charles Davis: Yes, I think you've got it; the second point is probably the key here.
3 hrs
  -> Thanks, Charles!
agree  Veronika McLaren
6 hrs
  -> Thanks, Veronika!
agree  Phong Le
1 day 20 hrs
  -> Thanks, Phong Le!
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