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Subject: вилы Morning!The only translation of вилы is I found is pitchfork. Figuratively, it appears to mean something ominous, as in: Мищуку долго везло, потому что он не был жадным. Как-то радист ОДС What would be a synonym of вилы as used in this context? Thanks |
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According to http://www.sayruss.narod.ru/slovar.htm Вилы - полный п*здец,безвыходная ситуация. ~rat-trap. I.e., they (police) were right there, waiting to catch him red-handed (with the loot). |
| P.S. I was not aware of this meaning. Kath, you are digging deep.... |
| That's what I thought. Now to find something appropriate in English :)). Thank you |
| To 15:20 - the text demands it :) |
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в дополнение Вилы - опасность и обвинительное заключение http://www.tyurma.net/topic.php?forum=9&topic=1&postid=1291679903 о татуировке: Сабля, штык, вилы - символы угрозы, опасности, предостережения. http://pisali.ru/adolf/3188/ Вилы. Один из старейших преступных символов России.... Символизирует угрозу, силу. http://education.kulichki.net/profi/pri5.html т.е. это может быть предупреждением об опасности, о том, что на земле может быть проверка (поэтому "он без сожаления выбросил над Енисеем девять мешков розовой кумжи") |
| сорри за повтор, не дочитала пояснение W.15:18 "they (police) were right there, waiting to catch him red-handed (with the loot)" |
| If it's not too straightforward - maybe, 'the pigs are waiting for you'? |
| Thank you. I understand. Now the trick is to come up with something adequate in English :) |
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Это не из Довлатова ли? вилы - лишение свободы |
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Yes, Dovlatov. Thank you. |
| kath, I just wonder, what did you come up with, ghetto-style? |
| It's not finalised yet. Am discussing with editor at the publishers and trying to come up with something we both agree on. The discourse is on whether it should involve aviation terms (as in hazardous weather conditions: ice storm, for example). Or something that is a play on words that denotes danger "thin ice" for example. Or something unrelated to weather conditions at all and simply means a warning or danger (which is a bit colourless) |
| Мне там чудится намек на исправительные лагеря в аббревиатуре. |
| Repeat - вилы means jail. Mischouk was later jailed for pilfering. |
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'the fuzz is on to you' ? the heat...? - ah, of course, you guys know better. It's interesting to reverse the situation. I mean what if an editor tells somebody like me to go digging around the Am. criminal slang\usage? How am I to cope with that? What's it to be? Questions, questions...Anyhow, that would not be easy. |
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Fuzz is too old. I always associate it with old Dragnet episodes, or Get Smart. (That dreaded time stamp :)) It's not easy but it's fun. And I'm learning a lot. It really forces you to read the text very closely, something that you'd not do reading it for yourself. |
| try kaput |
| Воспитательно Исправительные Лагеря |
Alexander Oshis ✉ moderator |
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link 1.05.2011 16:53 |
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Oo, ПМСМ, это уже т.н. народная этимология. Т.е., сначала появились вилы в значении "конец всему", а потом, во времена ГуЛага, народ придумал аббревиатуру и её соотв. расшифровку. |
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ok, kath, one last try: 'they are gonna nab\nail you' I like 'nail' because: 1) As a noun, it can be a sharp object (linking it to 'pitchfork'). 2) The word, in and of itself, has many connotations. |
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Thanks, Wolverin, Think of it this way. In the context, one guy warns another over the radio. He is not being obvious, even though the reader knows. But if someone else (authorities) were to overhear, they wouldn't know what "вилы" are being mentioned. "They're going to nail you" is too obvious, don't you think? It should be less direct, but clear, like "Your party is waiting for you", although this isn't right for this specific text because it has to be stronger (more ominous). Does this make sense? |
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"if someone else (authorities) were to overhear, they wouldn't know what "вилы" are being mentioned"- I have to disagree. Why? The police were well aware of the slang those [prospective] criminals and tough guys used. Essentially, they were the same people, like prisoners and their guards in Dovlatov's camp. In fact, that's a common metaphor - sort of 'the USSR was one big prison camp'. Same as in the U.S., when a black cop goes into the ghetto and knows his way around. He digs the hood - but if you put me there... God knows what will happen 'cause I know nothing. As to making the right word choice, I concede the game to you:)) you are abs. right - let's keep it real. Forget 'nail' - it's obvious and kinda prickly:)) |
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Of course they would know the word, but it can still be argued to be something else. I mean that the guy could have been more obvious and said "tebia voz'mut/poviazhut etc." - sorry if not correct russian, but you get the meaning? "They're gonna nail you" is the same. Obvious. That's what i meant. Anyway, I've really got to do a bit more work for today :) |
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Kath, you are completely right in understanding of that situation. Please consider "harsh, harsh landing" as an option. |
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