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. German to English
  3. Slang

Schweissloch

English translation: sweat hole

14:18 Jul 30, 2009
German to English translations [Non-PRO]
Social Sciences - Slang / sarcasm
German term or phrase: Schweissloch
a family name, one of many sarcastically assigned to Jews when they were required to register with the Civil Services Office and give up their Jewish names.
naaldkunstjoanna
English translation:sweat hole
Explanation:
sweat hole is the meaning of Schweissloch

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 19 mins (2009-07-30 14:37:55 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

There is a joke about this name:

One of the episodes from X's collection is the story of the father of a family, returning from the registration office, who is asked by his wife for the name that he has received. When he tells her that the name of the family will be Schweissloch, she gets angry, covering him with reproaches. His answer: "Gewalt geschrien! You can't imagine how much I had to pay for the 'w'!"

(without the 'w' it would be "shit hole")

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 22 mins (2009-07-30 14:40:33 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

instead of "hole" you could say "sweat pore" to have a more medical meaning, but "Loch" in German is more derogative than "Pore"

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2009-07-30 15:20:09 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

@writeaway: Just in addition to my comment below: When the German Jews came to Israel a lot of them changed their names to Hebrew names just by translating the German name. This was only possible, saince the names had a specific meaning in German.
Selected response from:

Sabine Akabayov, PhD
Israel
Local time: 11:55
Grading comment
she knew exactly the story that I was trying to translate and filled in all the gaps behind the word that I had actually asked for! Above and beyond the call of duty! Excellent and super fast!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +1sweat hole
Sabine Akabayov, PhD


  

Answers


17 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
sweat hole


Explanation:
sweat hole is the meaning of Schweissloch

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 19 mins (2009-07-30 14:37:55 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

There is a joke about this name:

One of the episodes from X's collection is the story of the father of a family, returning from the registration office, who is asked by his wife for the name that he has received. When he tells her that the name of the family will be Schweissloch, she gets angry, covering him with reproaches. His answer: "Gewalt geschrien! You can't imagine how much I had to pay for the 'w'!"

(without the 'w' it would be "shit hole")

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 22 mins (2009-07-30 14:40:33 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

instead of "hole" you could say "sweat pore" to have a more medical meaning, but "Loch" in German is more derogative than "Pore"

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2009-07-30 15:20:09 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

@writeaway: Just in addition to my comment below: When the German Jews came to Israel a lot of them changed their names to Hebrew names just by translating the German name. This was only possible, saince the names had a specific meaning in German.

Sabine Akabayov, PhD
Israel
Local time: 11:55
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman
Grading comment
she knew exactly the story that I was trying to translate and filled in all the gaps behind the word that I had actually asked for! Above and beyond the call of duty! Excellent and super fast!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  writeaway: ironic-asker's Dutch-origin name can be translated as the "Art of Needling".
11 mins
  -> So? I think it's clear that you don't translate family names, but you can definitely translate the meaning. Especially in this context. My mother had a neighbor with the name Kackschiss. How do you explain the meaning if you don't translate it?
agree  Audrey Foster (X)
1 hr
  -> thanks Audrey
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