UNUC

English translation: eunuch

18:40 Nov 5, 2017
English language (monolingual) [Non-PRO]
Art/Literary - General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
English term or phrase: UNUC
Hi everyone!

Below is a passage from Edward St Aubyn's Patrick Melrose Novels.
A conversation is taking place between several men at a party of upper class people, in the UK. There is the British irony about the Germans in the talk, but among the party participants, that's not something reserved for only the Germans; everyone is highly cynical of everything but themselves.
(George is an elderly British aristocrat. Tom is retired from IMF presidency. The Harold being mentioned is a Germany-born person of Jewish background, who had wanted to join the Hitler Youth in his boyhood.)

"...
‘There was a lot of talk at dinner about Chancellor Kohl’s claim that he was “very shocked” when war broke out in the Gulf.’
‘I suppose it was shocking for the poor Germans not to have started the war themselves,’ George interjected.
‘Harold was saying over dinner,’ continued Tom, ‘that he’s surprised there isn’t a United Nations Organisation called UNUC because “when it comes down to it they’re no bloody use at all”.’
‘What I want to know,’ said George, thrusting out his chin, ‘is what chance we have against the Japanese when we live in a country where “industrial action” means going on strike. I’m afraid I’ve lived for too long. I can still remember when this country counted for something.'
..."

As referred to in the text, there is no organisation called UNUC under the UN, but it must mean something (the "UN" part seems clear, but what about the "UC"?), even as an imaginary body, and I am at loss about the possibilities that makes sense. Not translating is not an option; in Turkish it wouldn't make any sense unless I am able to provide an explanation. So any clarification is welcome. Thanks in advance.
vitaminBcomplex
Local time: 15:47
Selected answer:eunuch
Explanation:
Oh dear, it's a play on words, and here, specifically, the SOUND of the words! I fear you are going to have great trouble rendering this in Turkish!

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Note added at 11 minutes (2017-11-05 18:51:33 GMT)
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The point is, we usually pronounce 'UN' as its two letters 'U' 'N', but when they makea longer acronym, like UNESCO, for example, it will be pronounced as yun-esco — as if it were a word in its own right.
So here, UNUC becomes yun-uck — which of course phonetically is almost identical to the word 'eunuch'; as we all know, 'eunuchs' have no b*lls, whence the allusion to this imaginary organization's not having the guts to take action: “when it comes down to it they’re no bloody use at all”
Selected response from:

Tony M
France
Local time: 13:47
Grading comment
Great! Makes perfect sense. Thank you very much
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
5 +4eunuch
Tony M


  

Answers


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


Explanation:
Oh dear, it's a play on words, and here, specifically, the SOUND of the words! I fear you are going to have great trouble rendering this in Turkish!

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 11 minutes (2017-11-05 18:51:33 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

The point is, we usually pronounce 'UN' as its two letters 'U' 'N', but when they makea longer acronym, like UNESCO, for example, it will be pronounced as yun-esco — as if it were a word in its own right.
So here, UNUC becomes yun-uck — which of course phonetically is almost identical to the word 'eunuch'; as we all know, 'eunuchs' have no b*lls, whence the allusion to this imaginary organization's not having the guts to take action: “when it comes down to it they’re no bloody use at all”

Tony M
France
Local time: 13:47
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 309
Grading comment
Great! Makes perfect sense. Thank you very much

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  philgoddard
22 mins
  -> Thanks, Phil!

agree  Charles Davis
1 hr
  -> Thanks, Charles!

agree  Helen Genevier
21 hrs
  -> Thanks, Helen!

agree  acetran
22 hrs
  -> Thanks, Ace!
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