[Lexicog] animal metaphors

[Translation MALI]

John,

A "stud" would be a "Hengst" (stallion) in German, so that would be the
same. "pig" (Schwein in German) can be used for all kinds of insults,
but it does not correspond at all to "stud." "Sau" (sow) would be the
ultimate insult in German, referring to a person (male or female)
who is very mean or dirty or immoral.
I have to say that "Stier" in German as applied to a politican is
usually meant to refer to that man's forceful, energetic character.

Fritz Goerling

P.S.: Here is a funny one: "to be a lucky dog" has its German equivalent
      in "Schwein haben" (to have swine/pig)(one can also say: "er ist
      ein Glückspilz" = he is a lucky mushroom; but that has nothing
      to do with animal metaphors).
      Any other offers?


Fritz Goerling wrote:


> I wonder how referring to people by animal names works across
> languages. Here is an example:
> In German if you refer to a man by "steer" that can be a compliment
> to his virility:
> a famous Bavarian political leader was called "der Stier (the steer)
> of Munich", likewise, a well-known French leader was named "le taureau
> de Paris" (the steer of Paris).
> to refer to a policeman by "Bulle" (bull) is an insult
> to refer to a woman by "Kuh" means "she is stupid"
> To my knowledge "steer" does not work the same way in English,
> for "bull" you would rather say "he is bull-headed", and "she is a cow"
> means, so I was told, "she is fat".
>
A "steer" in German is a "stud" in English and a "pig" in Amele (PNG). Any
other offers?

John Roberts










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