belämmert aus der Wäsche

English translation: befuddled/addled/dumbfounded/dazed

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
German term or phrase:belämmert aus der Wäsche
English translation:befuddled/addled/dumbfounded/dazed
Entered by: Ramey Rieger (X)

09:25 Jul 10, 2013
German to English translations [PRO]
Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
German term or phrase: belämmert aus der Wäsche
Can anyone tell me what this terms means in English in relation to how a woman looks?? I am sorry but I don't have any more context.
Kathy Freeman
Local time: 00:35
befuddled/addled/dumbfounded/dazed
Explanation:
There MUST be more context, otherwise how do you know it is a woman? Or are you writing something yourself?

bewildered
discombobulated
muddled
flustered
stupefied
bedazzled
disoriented
staggered
baffled

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 21 hrs (2013-07-11 07:10:27 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

SHEEPISH!!!!!!
Selected response from:

Ramey Rieger (X)
Germany
Local time: 01:35
Grading comment
I opted for bewildered
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +7befuddled/addled/dumbfounded/dazed
Ramey Rieger (X)
3 +2look/feel/stand around like an idiot - depending on context
Lesley Robertson MA, Dip Trans IoLET
3Looking on with a dorky expression (on her face)
Michael Martin, MA
1 +1speechless
Jonathan MacKerron
3 -5dragged through a hedge backwards
Andrew Bramhall
Summary of reference entries provided
Reference
MiriamT (X)

Discussion entries: 20





  

Answers


5 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): -5
dragged through a hedge backwards


Explanation:
It means, untidy, unironed clothing just thrown on with no thought; as if she'd been dragged through a hedge backwards;

Andrew Bramhall
United Kingdom
Local time: 00:35
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 12

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
disagree  Erik Freitag: Well, we have no context, but still I'm having trouble to imagine that this is the intended meaning.
4 mins

disagree  BrigitteHilgner: I want to see some proof for this interpretion before I believe it.
1 hr

disagree  Wendy Streitparth: Has nothing to do with the clothing.
3 hrs

disagree  Edith Kelly: with all
11 hrs

disagree  Susanne Rindlisbacher: with all
12 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

11 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +2
look/feel/stand around like an idiot - depending on context


Explanation:
or something along those lines

Lesley Robertson MA, Dip Trans IoLET
Austria
Local time: 01:35
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 16

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Erik Freitag
2 mins

agree  Susanne Rindlisbacher
57 mins
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

9 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 1/5Answerer confidence 1/5 peer agreement (net): +1
speechless


Explanation:
Perhaps, but who can know without seeing the image...

Jonathan MacKerron
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 63

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Susanne Rindlisbacher: Perhaps... A picture is worth a thousand words.
3 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

17 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
Looking on with a dorky expression (on her face)


Explanation:
As Susanne noted from a slightly different angle, what is needed here is an expression that describes this woman's response to a given situation rather than describes a general trait of hers.

Michael Martin, MA
United States
Local time: 20:35
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 63
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +7
befuddled/addled/dumbfounded/dazed


Explanation:
There MUST be more context, otherwise how do you know it is a woman? Or are you writing something yourself?

bewildered
discombobulated
muddled
flustered
stupefied
bedazzled
disoriented
staggered
baffled

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 21 hrs (2013-07-11 07:10:27 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

SHEEPISH!!!!!!

Ramey Rieger (X)
Germany
Local time: 01:35
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 70
Grading comment
I opted for bewildered

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Susanne Rindlisbacher
4 mins
  -> Thank you Susanne Rindlisbacher - which would you prefer? Be well!

agree  Erik Freitag
19 mins
  -> Thanks, my friend, another baffling bout of kudoz!

agree  Heike Holthaus: My preferences (without context): dumbfounded, befuddled, bewildered, baffled
1 hr
  -> Thanks TranslatorHeike, I love discombobulated, it is quite onomatopoeic.

agree  Usch Pilz: Befuddled does for me...
2 hrs
  -> I'm feeling rather bewildered at the moment! Hi there!

agree  Wendy Streitparth: Delightful selection - thought you'd invented discombobulated!
2 hrs
  -> Nope, it's a real, true, wonderful word. Hope all's well with you, Wendy!

agree  Edith Kelly: will never forget the comment : you look like something that the cat dragged out of the garden .... might be an option.
10 hrs
  -> Hi EdithK. the expression "look what the cat dragged in" refers more to bedraggled/half-dead/tortured or to a negative surprize. Thanks for your agreement and enjoy your day!

agree  Nicole Schnell
1 day 15 hrs
  -> Hi Nicole, much obliged! Do have a favorite?
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)




Reference comments


4 mins
Reference: Reference

Reference information:
...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 7 mins (2013-07-10 09:32:31 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

dumbfounded, puzzled (...)


    Reference: http://redensarten-index.de/suche.php?suchbegriff=bel%C3%A4m...
MiriamT (X)
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman, Native in EnglishEnglish
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.

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:
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search