https://www.proz.com/kudoz/french-to-english/cinema-film-tv-drama/5065606-aux-frais-de-loncle-paul.html
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Glossary entry

French term or phrase:

aux frais de l'Oncle Paul

English translation:

at someone else's expense

Added to glossary by Jennifer Forbes
Jan 10, 2013 18:27
11 yrs ago
French term

aux frais de l'Oncle Paul

French to English Art/Literary Cinema, Film, TV, Drama screenplay
Is this an expression? There is no previous or subsequent mention of Oncle Paul. Does it have to do with the Oncle Paul stories?
From a screenplay.
"Le jeune autostoppeur lui explique qu'ils ont dérivé l'électricité et bidouillés l'arrivée d'eau pour avoir une douche commune aux frais de l'Oncle Paul."
Proposed translations (English)
4 +1 at someone else's expense
3 +3 graciously offered by Santa
1 +2 for free
Change log

Jan 15, 2013 09:51: Jennifer Forbes Created KOG entry

Discussion

Michael GREEN Jan 13, 2013:
It would help if we knew which country was involved. The expression reminds me of the French "aux frais de la Princesse", which is often used (by my wife, at least!) to mean specifically "at the State's / company's expense", but in the absence of any more context, I think Jenny's suggestion is a good fit, colloquially.
writeaway Jan 11, 2013:
?? https://www.google.com/search?q=" l'Oncle Paul ."&num=40&hl=...
katsy Jan 10, 2013:
Phil's suggestion gives me an idea I don't have time to check unfortunately.... Like Monsieur Renault was called "petit Louis", was Paul Ricard known as "oncle Paul"? (can't think of any other famous "Paul"s for the moment); a cursory search on google brings up nothing convincing... but could that be a lead?
philgoddard Jan 10, 2013:
Maybe it's like Uncle Sam, meaning at the government's expense. Could it be a politician's name?
jmleger Jan 10, 2013:
What is the national contest? In France this is not a common expression. As to the Histoires de l'Oncle Paul, it does not work. Those stories aimes at the edification of youth and did not teach people how to chisel something.

Proposed translations

+1
2 days 14 hrs
Selected

at someone else's expense

This is clearly what is meant, surely? That the people aren't going to pay for it themselves and don't care who pays as long as it's not them. Less picturesque, but it avoids the problem of "Uncle Paul", "the Princess", etc.
Peer comment(s):
agree Michael GREEN : This gets my vote - it seems to be what is meant, and fits in nicely to the context.
51 mins
neutral Daryo : why not use some poetic licence when you can? this is not an international treaty nor a contract where a wrong word or even a wrong comma could cost millions…
3 hrs
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thanks, Jenny"
+2
1 hr

for free

given that he has "bidouillé" and "dérivé", one would assume that the shower has been set up without it costing a thing. However, why "aux frais de l'oncle Paul" and not "aux frais de la princesse", I have no idea. Hence the lowest confidence level.
Peer comment(s):
agree Daryo : for free definitely, must be some more colourful variant// "l'oncle Paul" because they are very young and these stories are still fresh in their memories, and are in strong contrast with ending up in a communal squat? Lost innocence of youth?
1 hr
yes, after posting my sluggish brain told me that the actual meaning was less of a problem than the idiomatic expression... Thanks Daryo :-)
agree ACOZ (X)
3 hrs
Thanks ACOZ :-)
neutral writeaway : no idea if this is right or wrong with so little context. but agree with your confidence level. all anyone can do is guess.
6 hrs
As I said to Daryo, I get the impression that the asker actually wants to know if this is a fixed expression... never heard it myself...
Something went wrong...
+3
3 hrs

graciously offered by Santa

"l'Oncle Paul" is a fictional nice character, same as Santa.
"aux frais de l'Oncle Paul" sounds a bit ironical, they are taking the mickey.
Couldn't think of some other character than Santa that could fit the bill.
Note from asker:
Okay, that makes sense. I may not use Santa Claus but I now have the idea, thanks.
There is no more context. It is a 2-page treatment, country and town not specified.
Peer comment(s):
agree katsy : more on the right lines I think!
9 mins
Thanks!
agree philgoddard : Good idea. The tooth fairy would be another possibility.
1 hr
I like the tooth fairy! Thanks!
neutral writeaway : pure guesswork. who knows with 00 context. /Santa doesn't cut it for me. Phil's toothfairy is better in the context. But again, it's pure guesswork. We also use 'rich uncle'
4 hrs
"ils ont dérivé l'électricité et bidouillés l'arrivée d'eau" "une douche commune" … plenty of clues strewn around, waiting to be picked up // la perfection n'est pas de ce monde
agree Victoria Britten
11 hrs
Thanks!
Something went wrong...