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. French to English
  3. Furniture / Household Appliances

boule de lit

English translation: bedknob

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
French term or phrase:boule de lit
English translation:bedknob
Entered by: David Vaughn

07:56 Aug 27, 2007
French to English translations [PRO]
Furniture / Household Appliances
French term or phrase: boule de lit
I suppose this is a ball on top of a bedpost. Bedpost knob? ball?
David Vaughn
Local time: 23:58
bedknob
Explanation:
If it is indeed as you suspect (though I have some slight unease that this might be a special term, since it seems an odd thing to have in isolation?), then that's what they're called.


cf. that excellent film 'Bedknobs and Broomsticks'
Selected response from:

Tony M
France
Local time: 23:58
Grading comment
Thanks all
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4bedpost knob / ball / finial
Veronica Coquard
4Foot (of bed leg)
Bourth (X)
1 +1bedknob
Tony M


Discussion entries: 3





  

Answers


24 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 1/5Answerer confidence 1/5 peer agreement (net): +1
bedknob


Explanation:
If it is indeed as you suspect (though I have some slight unease that this might be a special term, since it seems an odd thing to have in isolation?), then that's what they're called.


cf. that excellent film 'Bedknobs and Broomsticks'

Tony M
France
Local time: 23:58
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 132
Grading comment
Thanks all

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Bourth (X): Covers everything, including a bit of fluff! //I shall leave our readers to work out who the 'bedknob' is for themselves!
42 mins
  -> Thanks, Alex! Who're you calling a 'bit of fluff'?!
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

25 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
bedpost knob / ball / finial


Explanation:
Without further context, this is the best you can do.

Veronica Coquard
France
Local time: 23:58
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
Foot (of bed leg)


Explanation:
Then there are the "pieds boule de lit", large round knobs serving as the feet of "sommiers", giving a clear space of 2-3 inches beneath the bed.

Failing that, it might be the "boules de poussière", or balls of fluff that might be found under the bed, as opposed to the bits of fluff that might be found on top, on a good day.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2007-08-27 09:02:28 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Sorry: knock that confidence level right back, this is just a suggestion.

Bourth (X)
Local time: 23:58
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 46
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