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“Zero fucks given” in other languages

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Re: “Zero fucks given” in other languages

#191

Post by tgv »

jauco wrote: post #53

The dutch one is better translated as “I’ll let it rust my crack” (as in buttcrack) rather than anus. It comes from the fact that we also used to use the word crack for “railtrack embedded in the pavement” as used by trams (streetcars). To let the crack oxidize is to not do proper upkeep on that section of the track. Though no one uses crack to refer to railway track anymore. So the translation is definitely the conn…

Spanish translation is also a bit shoddy: "Me importa un pepino" translates to "it matters/means as much to me as a cucumber". It's probably been translated that way to give it the same punch.

The saying is also used with comino (a cumin seed), pimiento (a pepper), rabano (a radish), all rather vegetarian, and culo (ass), and possibly other regional variants.

The "reet" in the Dutch expression of course also returns in "dat interesseert me geen ene reet".

Re: “Zero fucks given” in other languages

#194

Post by mgbmtl »

southerntofu wrote: post #170
TacticalCoder wrote: post #169

In french there's "je m'en fous comme de l'an 40" or "je m'en moque comme de l'an 40" : "I don't care, as if it was year 40" . But the funny thing is nobody really knows about which year 40 this is. It's not 1940 for the saying goes back at least 200 years. https://fr.wiktionary.org/wiki/se_foutre_comme_de_l%E2%80%99...

Native french speaker here. Never heard that one before, but that's an interesting (historical) one!

In the 90s in Montreal it was a very common expression. Haven't heard it in a while. I avoid it because people might think 1940s, and that would be disrespectful.

These days: "on s'en câlisse" (most cursing is church-based because it is unlikely to offend anyone).

Re: “Zero fucks given” in other languages

#195

Post by kuon »

As we are discussing the delicate art of slang :) I'll add this video [1] which is a popular meme around "We slaps our balls" in french.

There is also the gorgeous expression "On s'en tamponne le coquillard" [2] which is one of my favorite.

[1]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoDY9vFAaG8

[2]: https://fr.wiktionary.org/wiki/s%E2%80%99en_tamponner_le_coq...

Re: “Zero fucks given” in other languages

#196

Post by lkuty »

TacticalCoder wrote: post #169

In french there's "je m'en fous comme de l'an 40" or "je m'en moque comme de l'an 40" : "I don't care, as if it was year 40" . But the funny thing is nobody really knows about which year 40 this is. It's not 1940 for the saying goes back at least 200 years. https://fr.wiktionary.org/wiki/se_foutre_comme_de_l%E2%80%99...

I used/heard it a few times in Belgium (province de Liège).

Or we could use a simple "rien à foutre" == "don't give a fuck" or more vulgar "rien à branler" which could be translated as "I don't give a wank".

Re: “Zero fucks given” in other languages

#198

Post by pdpi »

jeroenhd wrote: post #123
pdpi wrote: post #106

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Huh. “Reet” sounds like it should share a root with “rut” in English.

It doesn't appear so, at least according to Wiktionary. The word supposedly comes from some kind of past tense of "rijten" meaning "to rip, tear". "Reet" comes from "rete" which means "split". This is the furthest back the Wiktionary entry goes: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Reconstruction:Proto-Germanic... As for English "rut", that word comes from Middle French "route", ultimately leading back to a Romanic origin…

Thanks! A great example of why "should share a root" doesn't mean "does share a root" :)

Re: “Zero fucks given” in other languages

#199

Post by AtlasLion »

tduberne wrote: post #9

> Another French slang expression (also testicle-related) for not giving a fuck is “I’m painting my balls with the brush of indifference” If anyone has an idea of the original in french, I would be interested. I am French and I have no clue what he refers to.

not the same but "je m'en bas les couilles" works too.

Re: “Zero fucks given” in other languages

#200

Post by WastingMyTime89 »

rich_sasha wrote: post #26
dakotian wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

s’en badigeonner les testicules avec le pinceau de l’indifférence

By my pre-coffee count, 19 syllables of indifference... a lot of words to say “meh” :)

Gallic shrug

Why talk when you can physically convey the idea. I must say that this discussion makes me somewhat uncomfortable with the centrality of not caring in my culture.

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