Glossary entry (derived from question below)
français term or phrase:
crâne pointu
anglais translation:
the pinnacle of his pate OR egg-shaped head
Added to glossary by
Sarah Truesdale
Feb 5, 2009 21:11
15 yrs ago
1 viewer *
français term
crâne pointu
français vers anglais
Art / Littérature
Poésie et littérature
Novel
Hi there,
This is an extract from a novel.
The context is: … son grand-oncle maintient son chapeau noir en équilibre sur son crâne pointu.
Surely this does not mean that he has a pointed head? I assume that this is some expression that I am unaware of or perhaps the author is just being very free with his description?
Any help appreciated. Thanks.
This is an extract from a novel.
The context is: … son grand-oncle maintient son chapeau noir en équilibre sur son crâne pointu.
Surely this does not mean that he has a pointed head? I assume that this is some expression that I am unaware of or perhaps the author is just being very free with his description?
Any help appreciated. Thanks.
Proposed translations
(anglais)
| 2 +2 | the pinnacle of his pate OR egg-shaped head |
Susan Nicholls
|
| 5 +12 | His great-uncle balances his black hat on his pointy/pointed head |
Mark Solomon
|
| 3 | pin head |
jmleger
|
| 3 | cone shape |
bowse123 (X)
|
Proposed translations
+2
21 heures
Susan Nicholls
Native in anglais
Specializes in field
Meticulous attention to detail
Native in: anglais 
Works in: français vers anglais, espagnol vers anglais, catalan vers anglais
Related KudoZ points
:
48
français term (edited):
crâne pointu
Selected
the pinnacle of his pate OR egg-shaped head
If emotive and descriptive is what you are looking for, perhaps something like this.
Or pointed pate.
I seem to remember having seen the French expression in quite a few different contexts, the everyday English equivalent might be: egg-shaped head.
Or pointed pate.
I seem to remember having seen the French expression in quite a few different contexts, the everyday English equivalent might be: egg-shaped head.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Marta Scott
: I like "egg-shaped" and "pate" - though is "pinnacle" necessary?
3 jours 3 heures
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Thanks. Pinnacle? Probably not, just imagery and alliteration around the idea of a point to get the ball rolling...
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| agree |
Jean-Louis S.
4 jours
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
+12
6 minutes
Mark Solomon
Espagne
Espagne
Native in anglais
Espagne
Friendly, flexible and with flair !
Native in: anglais 
Works in: espagnol vers anglais, anglais vers espagnol, allemand vers anglais, and 1 more.
His great-uncle balances his black hat on his pointy/pointed head
Sounds like you are looking for problems that aren't there! Just a bit of regular poetic licence in the description...
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Janet Cannon
17 minutes
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Thanks
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| agree |
Louise Bongiovanni
: agree
22 minutes
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Thanks Louise
|
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| agree |
Helen Shiner
25 minutes
|
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Thanks Helen
|
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| agree |
Jean-Louis S.
28 minutes
|
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Thanks
|
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| agree |
Jenn Mercer
35 minutes
|
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Thanks Jenn
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| agree |
roisin56
35 minutes
|
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Thanks
|
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| agree |
Marta Scott
: and enjoyed reading all the responses!
1 heure
|
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Thanks Marta
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| agree |
Lingua 5B
: a funny poetic image indeed ! :)
1 heure
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Thanks
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| agree |
Arusha Topazzini (X)
5 heures
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Thanks
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| agree |
Gina W
5 heures
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Thanks
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| agree |
lundy
: yes, pointy head came to mind!
9 heures
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Thanks Lundy
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| agree |
Vicky James
11 heures
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Thanks Vicky
|
24 minutes
pin head
With a quiet salute to Tod Browning
1 heure
cone shape
maybe??
Discussion