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
Porteurs de Succès
pour le surplus de

Glossary entry

French term or phrase:

bécasse

English translation:

losers

Added to glossary by Nathalie Reis
Apr 29, 2010 07:53
14 yrs ago
French term

bécasse

French to English Other General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
C'est dans un épisode des Totally Spies. C'est Many, leur "ennemie" qui s'adresse aux 3 spies et qui leur dit "je vous laisse, les bécasses.". Bin sûr, je comprends ce que ça veut dire, mais quel est son équivalent anglais?
Proposed translations (English)
2 +10 losers
2 +1 airhead

Proposed translations

+10
4 mins
Selected

losers

As you know, "bécasse" means more "stupid" but "losers" sounds more like something kids today would say.

I've also heard "muppet" used to mean "idiot" but that may be too British?

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 6 mins (2010-04-29 08:00:04 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Muppet

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=muppet
A person who is ignorant and generally has no idea about anything.

Peer comment(s):
agree Philippa Smith : Yes, that would work: "I'm out of here, losers" sort of thing, my kids would definitely say it! I like muppets too, but probably not general enough.
7 mins
Thanks! I first heard "muppet" in Eastenders and did an audio double-take (hadn't heard it before).
agree Evans (X) : yes, matches the register
9 mins
agree Chris Hall
11 mins
agree emiledgar : works
17 mins
agree writeaway : don't understand the prob (it's in every single Fr-En dictionary) except for not having any native instinct for chosing the right English term
21 mins
agree Alison MacG : Loser is definitely ideal here!
56 mins
agree Estelle Demontrond-Box
1 hr
agree mimi 254
2 hrs
agree Michael McCann : Losers sounds well and in character.
6 hrs
agree Lorna Coing : Perfect!
1 day 3 hrs
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Merci beaucoup!"
+1
36 mins

airhead

Just another idea - I think it's important to get across the idea that Many is being dismissive of them because he thinks they are a) female, b) young and c) not very intelligent. "Bimbo" could be another option, although perhaps too adult here. I actually think "silly little girls" would work quite well.
Peer comment(s):
neutral Sandra Petch : It's a good suggestion but (after a visit to Wiki) it turns out Many is actually Mandy hence also a girl (asker does say "ennemie"). / Well-found for the ref.! I'm surprised they use "bécasse" in French, it sounds pretty dated.
8 mins
Thanks, Sandra - well spotted! "Loser" is thus ideal - precisely the sort of thing the character would say. Mandy: You really gotta ditch these losers! http://www.tv.com/totally-spies/eraser/episode/118787/summar...
agree Michael McCann : Losers sounds well and in character.
2 hrs
Thank you, but you clearly should have given your agree to Sandra ...
Something went wrong...
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search