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una gamberrada

English translation: an act of vandalism

19:50 May 19, 2008
Spanish to English translations [PRO]
Science - Science (general) / megacryometeors
Spanish term or phrase: una gamberrada
En seguida nos dimos cuenta de que era agua de lluvia, y los resultados de los análisis y las pesquisas previas también nos permitieron descartar que se tratara de una broma o una gamberrada" dice XXX. En el informe pericial de la Guardia Civil se propone que el trozo de hielo que impactó sobre la fábrica tiene su origen en un proceso atmosférico.

is "the activity of hooligans" a bit OTT?

Thank you!

Liz Askew
liz askew
United Kingdom
Local time: 02:37
English translation:an act of vandalism
Explanation:
Esto es más general y a propósito.
Selected response from:

Karin Kutscher
Local time: 21:37
Grading comment
I have used this, as it says "broma" beforehand and I have translated this as "joke".

Thank you!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5 +7(HERE) a prank/practical joke
neilmac
5 +1an act of vandalism
Karin Kutscher


  

Answers


2 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +1
an act of vandalism


Explanation:
Esto es más general y a propósito.

Karin Kutscher
Local time: 21:37
Native speaker of: Spanish
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
I have used this, as it says "broma" beforehand and I have translated this as "joke".

Thank you!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Reed James: Sí. Le achuntaste.
3 mins
neutral  neilmac: Ver mi sugerencia
4 mins
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6 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +7
(HERE) a prank/practical joke


Explanation:
They appear to be referring to the appearance of several large mysterious lumps of ice which fell in Spain a few years ago - suggested reasongs being UFOs, frozen water from airplane toilets. After the first few sightings, some people were faking them (hence my suggestion "prank") although the initial ones were apparently real and still remain unexplained.

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Note added at 9 mins (2008-05-19 19:59:58 GMT)
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hals2.wordpress.com

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Note added at 13 mins (2008-05-19 20:03:30 GMT)
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Desde la semana pasada, cuando España quedó sembrada de aerolitos, o más bien simples bloques de hielo producto de un efecto meteorológico, el cielo ya no ...


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Note added at 12 hrs (2008-05-20 08:20:30 GMT)
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No Liz, forget the DRAE definition, they simply mean a practical joke or prank (two almost synonymous yet different terms which can safely be used). Hooligan/vandalism are too strong here. And forget "libertine/dissolute/prostitute unless you want to sound Dickensian. Gamberro nowadays has lost all these stronger nuances in modern European Spanish.

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Note added at 12 hrs (2008-05-20 08:22:58 GMT)
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Think of "a bit of a lad/toe-rag" and that's a gamberro. The term "gamberrismo" is still used for the type of post-footy vandalism such as breaking bottles or spray painting bus stopd though...

neilmac
Spain
Local time: 03:37
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 37
Notes to answerer
Asker: In that case, how do I translate "broma"?? Liz

Asker: Isn't it a bit stronger than this? DRAE: gamberro, rra. (De or. inc.). 1. adj. Libertino, disoluto. U. t. c. s. 2. adj. Que comete actos de grosería o incivilidad. U. t. c. s. 3. f. And. prostituta.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Sinead --: Good one. Hooliganism and vandalism do seem a little OTT in this context.
5 mins
  -> Did you know the falling ice story? It was a couple of years ago...
agree  kjmcguire
12 mins
agree  bcsantos
33 mins
agree  margaret caulfield
1 hr
agree  Dr. Andrew Frankland
1 hr
agree  Edward Tully
2 hrs
agree  Noni Gilbert Riley: Yes, prank
12 hrs
  -> Still, it seems there's no pleasing some people.
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