Don't stop at the pigeon loft

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Val. «No parar en torreta»

Es diu que algú no para en torreta quan es belluga molt, quan està sempre en moviment. Se sol dir dels xiquets molt actius, però també dels adults que a causa d’una activitat lúdica, laboral... s’absenten prou dies de sa casa o del lloc on estan normalment.

Exemple:

«Ma mare té raó. Diu que no pare en torreta, que sempre estic fora de casa embolicat en afers musicals».

Comentari d’un músic en el seu blog

Esta locució prové del món de la columbofília: els coloms, llançats a volar pels colombaires, a vegades fan tota la volada sense posar-se en les torretes i colomers situats en el terrat dels edificis.

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When someone is a very active person we say that he no para en torreta (literally, no [‘he doesn’t’] para [‘stop’] en torreta [‘in the pigeon loft’]. Normally it is said about restless children, but also about adults who like going out or travelling and are often away from home, like restless pigeons.

On fridays, tender beans; on thursdays, beans with eggs

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Val. «Divendres, faves tendres; Dijous, faves amb ous»

This expression is used as a rhyme with no moral lesson implied. It refers to the food you are supposed to eat on thursdays and fridays.

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Esta és una rima sense cap implicació moral. Es referix a lo que s’hauria de menjar els dijous i els divendres.

That is blowing and making bottles

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Val.: «Això és bufar i fer ampolles»

Bufar i fer ampolles significa, ser [una cosa] molt fàcil de fer.

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We use this expression when we try to encourage somebody to do something or when we mean that something we did was very easy. It basically means "that's very easy to do".

🇬🇧 Similar expressions in English: 

To be as easy as a pie

🇪🇸 Similar expressions in Spanish: 

Ser [algo] coser y cantar

That is as true as if you ate pears and you shit them in one piece

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Val. «És de veres com si menjares peres i les cagares senceres»

Quan algú fa cara que no s’acaba de creure un comentari que un altre ha fet o una història que algú ha contat, se sol tractar de convéncer-lo de que es tracta d’un fet cert amb esta contestació rimada.

Exemple dialogat:

—Saps què? La Xaro s'ha posat mamelles.

—Què dius! Jo la viu l’altre dia i estava com sempre, com una post de planxar. No pot ser de veres...

—És de veres, com si menjares peres i les cagares senceres.

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When somebody is sceptic about what other has just said and makes a comment or gestures showing his mistrust, it is common to remark that the previous affirmation is true by making this reply which makes a funny rhyme in Valencian.

To catch the ship

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Passatgers embarcant al Titanic

Val. «Agarrar el barco»

Supose que antigament no era tan senzill ni tan segur embarcar-se en un viatge amb vaixell. El trajecte amagava molts riscs i u mai sabia si tornaria a casa sa i estalvi. Per això —perquè agafar un vaixell era una empresa molt més seriosa i complicada que hui en dia― l’expressió «agarrar el barco» es va convertir en un eufemisme de «morir».

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In the old days it was not so easy and safe to embark on a voyage. There were many risks implied and you could never know if you were ever going to come back home. Thus, catching a passenger ship on a long voyage meant something much more serious than nowadays. Maybe because of this, the expression Agarrar el barco became an euphemism for ‘dying’.

Exemple: No fumes tant o prompte agarraràs el barco

E.g. Don’t smoke so much or you’ll catch the ship very soon

To the table and bed, at the first shout*

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Val. «A la taula i al llit al primer crit»

El menjar és per als valencians, a més d’una necessitat, un ritual i un plaer en tota regla. L’acte de reunir-se tots junts al voltant d’una taula, amb ganes de gojar dels plats saborosos i llargament esperats que els nostres majors han cuinat… això és molt important en les nostres vides. Especialment els diumenges o en les ocasions especials, u ha d’estar a taula a hora per a que tots comencen a menjar alhora. Encara que puga paréixer paradoxal per als mediterranis, a vegades hem de respectar els horaris i ser puntuals, com ara en menjars familiars o la nostra cita personal amb el llit, per a descansar prou per a afrontar el dur dia de treball que nos espera al sendemà. Esta expressió representa tot això: el primer crit representa la primera vegada que ta iaia et crida per a anar a taula o quan ho fa per a que et gites.

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Meal is for Valencians not just a necessity, but every inch a ritual (and a pleasure). The act of gathering together around a table, with everyone eager to enjoy a long-prepared and tasty meal cooked by our elders is very important in our lives. Especially on Sundays or special occasions, one must be at table at the right time so that everyone starts eating at the same time. Even though it may seem paradoxical for Mediterranean people, sometimes we have to respect timetables and be punctual for certain meetings, as family meals or our personal appointment with our bed in order to rest enough to face the following working day. This expression stands for all this: the first shout stands for the first time your granny calls you to come to table or when it is time to go to bed.
Note: notice how llit (‘bed’) rhymes with crit (‘shout’).

Linguistic clarifications:

*The expression could also be 'To the table and bed, at the first call', but 'shout' preserves the way we call somebody, sometimes raising our voice more than necessary… In fact, in Valencian, both ‘to call somebody’ and ‘to shout at somebody’ can be expressed with the same verb: cridar.

To embitter more than the broom

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Val. «Amagar més que la retrama»

Just like the expression ‘To embitter more than the oleander' (Amargar més que el baladre), this expression is used when we mean that something is very embittering. By analogy, it can also be applied to a disagreeable person.

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Igual que l’expressió «Amargar més que el baladre», esta es diu quan alguna cosa amarga molt. Per analogia, també es pot aplicar a una persona desagradable, negativa i pessimista.

Linguistic clarifications:

Retrama (‘broom’ in English) is a plant having long slender branches and racemes of yellow flowers. The word retrama is used in Valencia and Eivissa as a synonym for the standard Catalan word ginesta.

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La retrama és un arbust de la família de les papilionàcies, amb tiges verdes semblants a joncs i poques fulles, de flors grogues i oloroses. Retrama és la paraula que s'utilitza a València i Eivissa, mentres que el mot estàndard és «ginesta».

To end up like the Dawn Rosary

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El rosari de l'aurora, d'Eugenio Lucas Velázquez

Val: «Acabar com el rosari de l’aurora»

The Dawn Rosary is a collective devotion carried out at dawn in which people say and sing the Lord’s Prayer and the Hail Mary throughout the streets of a given town. One of the first signs of anticlericalism of 1868 was trying to spoil this practice. This fact gave rise to real pitched battles.

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Acabar com el rosari de l’aurora significa acabar malament, amb baralles. El rosari de l’aurora és una devoció practicada col·lectivament en què es canta el rosari pels carrers d’una població a primera hora del matí. Un dels primers signes anticlericals de 1868 va ser l’intent de desbaratar eixa pràctica, cosa que va originar autèntiques batalles campals.

Exemple: «La festa acabà com el rosari de l'aurora, fins i tot la policia hi hagué d'intervenir»

E.g. «The party ended up like the Dawn Rosary: even the police had to intervene»

Font: Etimologies parèmiques

This is like shitting on oneself and not wiping one's bottom

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Val. «Ser [una cosa] per a cagar-se i no torcar-se»

Es diu que una situació és per a cagar-se i no tocar-se quan és increïble, inesperada o sorprenent.

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When a situation is per a cagar-se i no torcar-se (literally, per a [‘like’] cagar-se [‘shitting on oneself’] i no [‘and not’] torcar-se [‘wiping one’s bottom’]), we mean that a given situation is extremely surprising and unexpected. Sometimes the expression involves a shade of gossip, as normally we use this expression when talking about some other’s lives.

Go and knead clay

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Val. «Vés a pastar fang!»

When you send somebody to knead clay you are telling him/her rudely to go away from you. This is usually said when you are really angry. It can be said for example as a reply to a comment that you deem offensive.

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Enviar a algú a pastar fang és expulsar-lo de mala manera, amb paraules despectives o violentes.

That costs a Potosí

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Val.: «Valdre un Potosí»

Potosí és una ciutat minera de Bolívia que va produir molta riquea durant el segle XVI fins a convertir-se en una gran ciutat. Gran part de la plata que es portava des d’Amèrica fins a Espanya venia d’eixa ciutat. Per això, «un potosí» va passar a ser sinònim de «una fortuna». Dir que una cosa val un potosí és una expressió que encara s’usa per a dir que una cosa val molts diners.

Exemple:

«Sobre el tema de la impressió, imprimir imatges a color en gran format costa un potosí».

Comentari del fòrum d’un videojoc

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Potosí is a mining town in Bolivia which started to produce incredible wealth during the 16th century, becoming a large city. Most of the silver that was brought to Spain from America came from there. Thus, un Potosí became synonymous with ‘a fortune’. This is an expression that you may still hear from Valencian elders when they mean that something costs lots of money.

If you dream of being an earl and you are an unhappy day labourer, someday the owner of the house will come to collect the renting

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Val. «Si ensomies que eres comte, i eres un trist jornaler, ja vindrà l'amo (de) la casa a cobrar-te l'alquiler*»

This saying is an example of Valencian realistic philosophy. At the same time, though, it is a pessimistic affirmation, as this saying expresses a kind of conformism and denial of abilities for improvements and progress. It is supposed to be used for bringing dreamers back to reality.

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Esta rima és un exemple de la filosofia realista valenciana. Al mateix temps, és una afirmació pessimista, puix expressa un tipus de conformisme, una negació de l'habilitat de millorar i progressar. Se suposa que es diu per a fer tornar als somniadors a la dura realitat.

To give excuses of bad payer

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Val. «Donar excuses de mal pagaor»

Excuses de mal pagador són al·legacions adduïdes per a justificar-se que resulten falses o poc consistents.

It's used for criticizing persons who are always giving pretexts for his slovenliness.

Linguistic clarifications: Valencians usually drop 'd' between vowels and pronounce pagaor.

What goes first, goes first

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Val. «Lo que va davant, va davant»

S’usa per a indicar que les coses s’han de fer quan es presenta l’oportunitat de fer-les.

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It is a system of determining priorities.

"To go and suck an onion"

Tweet Val. «Anar a mamar una ceba»

An onion is not like a tit: it doesn't give milk. You can say "Go and suck and onion", when you want someone out of your view.

Una ceba no és com una mamella: no dona llet. Pots dir "vés i mama una ceba" quan vols a algú fora de la teua vista.

"Shall we make fire, or run away?"

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Val. «Què fem? Foc i fugirem»

This is usually said as an answer to the question "What shall we do?". Maybe it is used because of its rhyme and alliteration.

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Se sol dir com a resposta a la pregunta «què fem?» («foc i fugirem»). Potser s'utilitza per la seua musicalitat.

To talk for not to keep quiet

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Val.: «Parlar per no callar»

S'utilitza quan algú diu alguna cosa desitjada, de manera valenta, però impossible de realitzar, amb l'únic objectiu de fer creure a ell mateix i a l'auditori que podria ser de veres, o simplement per riure.

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It's used when someone says in a bravely way something wished but impossible to do. The only purpose is to make believe himself and also those around him that it could be real. It's also used just for laughs.

Those who mock others will be pricked by the devil

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Val. «A qui es burla, el dimoni li furga»

Este refrany nos recorda que qui es burle cruelment dels altres rebrà, tard o d'hora, el seu castic.

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It means that each ill-intentioned joke will always find its respective punishment.

From where there is nothing, you can't take out anything

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Val. «D'on no n'hi ha, no se'n pot traure»

This set phrase is a distilled fragment of wisdom that Valencian culture passes on to the whole humanity. This could work as The Universal Refrain, because it has an unique meaning and can be understood by every person, be him old, young, man, woman, educated or illiterate.

To arrive and kiss the saint

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Val. «Arribar i besar el sant»

Fer processons per a venerar sants i màrtirs és una tradició mediterrània i valenciana. Al final d'estes caminades col·lectives és habitual besar els peus o les mans del sant, a fi de conseguir cures miraculoses. A vegades la congregació ha de caminar molts quilòmetres per a besar el sant. Amb l'expressió «Arribar i besar el sant» els valencians expressem sorpresa quan una persona resol una situació molt ràpidament.

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It's a Mediterranean (therefore Valencian) tradition and habit to make collective processions to venerate Saints and martyrs. At the end of this processions it is habitual to kiss the Saint's feet or hands, looking for miraculous cures or health recoverings. Sometimes the congregation must walk many miles before they can kiss the saint.

With this phrase Valencians express astonishment when somebody solves a situation very quickly.

- I left my car in the garage and they have repaired it in just ten minutes; can you believe it?

- Oh! It's incredible: that's to arrive and kiss the saint!

To make more water than a monot

Tweet Val. «Fer més aigua que un monot»

monot (val.): xarxa per a la pesca emprada pels pescadors del llac de l'Albufera de València.

monot (val.): fishing net used by fishermans on Albufera's lake (València).

This expression is a little bit complex because is based on another set phrase:

To make water

Val. «Fer aigua»

That means 'to be stupid' -you know: like you'd have a hole on your head and your brain is spilling down...-

[in Valencian verb 'to make' can be used as synonymous of 'to give off']

Then we combine this phrase (make water) with our special fishing net (monot) we have this curious phrase:

- You make more water [you're so stupid]...
...than a monot [because a net can hold no water, it works as the top metaphor of stupidity].

To be a manifesser

Tweet Val. «Ser un manifesser»

manifesser: Valencian word for designate a person as clumsy (eng. syn.: butterfinger).

To be more annoyed than is Muhammad of the streaky bacon

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Val. «Estar més fart que Mahoma de la cansalada»

Significa estar molt fart d'alguna cosa.

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It's the top phrase for expressing fed up about something.

Its meaning is related with the Islamic prophet Muhammad and the restrictions that this religion imposes to its followers (prohibited foods include pig products, blood, carrion, and alcohol).

Valencians normally pronounce cansalada as cansalà (dropping the d) in spontaneous speech.

To go straighter than the leafminer

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Val. «Anar més recte que el minaor»

The citrus leafminer* is a major pest of citrus. The larva digs galleries in the leaves, causing extensive damage to our orange trees.

*El minaor (standard: minador)

Those who cook bland food do it for everyone, those who cook salty do it for the cat

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Val.: «Qui cuina dolç, cuina per a molts; qui cuina salat, cuina per al gat»

Este refrany explica que més val cuinar un plat més aïna insípid que no un plat massa salat. En el primer cas, cada comensal pot millorar-lo afegint-li la sal que li abellixca; en el segon, en canvi, és difícil arreglar l’empastre i fer-lo comestible. Una alternativa a tirar el menjar al fem és donar-li’l al gat, que no sol dir que no a les menges salades.

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Some say that we Valencians put much more salt than necessary in our dishes. This saying mentions this problem. It basically means that if your meal turns out a bit tasteless you can always add a pinch of salt. It is advisable to add just a bit of it (specially if you have guests at home) so you don’t take the risk of ruining the meal. However, if it turns out too salty, you can always let your cat eat it.

To be done an eccehomo

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Val. «Estar fet un eccehomo»

Es diu que algú està fet un eccehomo quan està malferit. L’origen d’esta expressió cal buscar-lo en la frase Ecce homo, que en llatí significa «Heus ací l’home»; va ser la frase que va dir Ponç Pilat per a presentar a Jesús després de ser flagel·lat i coronat amb espines.

En valencià eccehomo es pronuncia popularment aixòmo o axiamo.

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In Valencian, to be like an eccehomo means to be badly injured. Ecce homo is a Latin sentence meaning ‘Behold the Man’. These were Pilate’s words as he presented Jesus, crowned with thorns, to the crowd.

To be more jerk than the rough cane

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Val.: «Ser més bord que la canyota»
It's the maximum expression for describing someone's annoying behaviour.
* bord: annoying, rude, jerk. [see more definitions]

It's the maximum expression for describing someone's annoying behaviour.

* bord: annoying, rude, jerk. [see more definitions]

The play on words comes from the fact that in Valencian the word bord has 2 meanings: one is wild, like a wild plant, that is useless and annoying for the farmer. Thus, the sentence would be: To be wilder than a mass of reeds. The second meaning of the word bord is nasty or jerk, as when somebody gets stroppy. The expression is playing with the two meanings, as both (a wild plant and a nasty person) are unpleasant.

To crap in-flight

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Val.: «Cagar al vol»

S'utilitza per a remarcar la falta de sentit d'una acció.

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It's used for remark the lack of sense of an action.

Ex. "It's raining and you're watering your plants... you're crapping in-flight"

A pumpkin was given to me and it turned into a melon… I prefer a pumpkin to getting married with a whore

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Val. «Carabassa m’han donat i se m’ha tornat meló… més m’estime carabassa que casar-me amb un pendó»

Esta és una rima que s’utilitza després d’un fracàs sentimental, en concret quan un home ha sigut rebutjat per una xica. El xic diu esta frase per a consolar-se, perquè suposadament la xica no li convenia. La rima significa que preferix estar solter abans que casar-se amb una dona de vida irregular i desordenada. La locució «donar carabasses» prové d’un costum rural en què el pretendent a casar-se amb una xica era convidat a dinar a casa d’ella: si li oferien foc per al cigarro significava que la família acceptava el festeig; si li servien un plat de carabassa, volia dir que el mosso no era ben rebut i se n’havia d’anar. Com ella era una mala influència, el fet d’haver sigut rebutjat és més aïna una cosa positiva: com un meló, que és una cosa dolça.

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This is a rhyme that men use to console themselves after a disappointment in love, specifically when a man has been rejected by a woman. Supposedly this woman isn’t right for him. The rhyme means that he prefers to stay single rather than get married with a partygoer or a whore. The idiom ‘to give pumpkins’ (meaning ‘to give the brush off’) comes from a rural custom: when a man wanted to marry a girl, he was invited to her house. If the family offered him a match to light his cigarette, it meant the family approved the relationship. However, if he was given a pumpkin, it meant he was not welcome and he had to leave. But as she was a bad person, the fact of being rejected turns out to be a positive thing: like a melon, which is sweet and tasty.

To be deafer than a ploughshare

Tweet Val. «Estar més sord(/a) que una rella»

It's said when someone has difficulties for listen.

To leave as a slingshot

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Val. «Anar-se’n com una fona»

Anar-se’n (o entrar, eixir o passar) com una fona significa fer-ho ràpidament, a corre-cuita. Es pot dir, per exemple, quan algú ix d’algun lloc amb corruixes: Se n'ha anat com una fona!

Una fona és un instrument per a tirar pedres que consistix en una tira curta d’una matèria flexible, especialment cuir, on es posa la pedra, unida en els seus extrems a dos trenes, normalment d’espart, cànem, etc.

Exemple: 

«Tot seguit, isqué com una fona en direcció a la rotonda que donava pas a l’eixida a la carretera general. Amb una miqueta de sort, encara podria arribar a Torrent a hora de dinar.»

Per què, Sara?, d’Enric Lluch (pàg. 120) 

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The expression «Anar-se’n com una fona» (literally Anar-se’n [‘go away’] com [‘like’] una fona [‘a slingshot’]) means to go away very quickly, as in a rush. For instance, when yout sister leaves home without saying goodbye.

I love you more than a good crap

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Val.: «Et vull més que un bon cagar»

The legend says that an old King had 3 daughters. He asked them how much they loved him. The eldest answered "I love you more than all the gold in the world". The second one, "I love you more than all the silver". But the youngest said "Daddy, I love you more than a good crap". The King grew furious, and exiled her.

She had to live in a farm for two years. When they met again, his father grabbed her, and said: "Daughter, tell me how much you love me, because I haven't been able to go to the toilet since you left me (and it hurts)". He was too constipated (restret).

After the re-meeting, the King found an irrigation ditch, and crapped, and crapped, until he dried the ditch up. Since then, that irrigation ditch is known as "La sèquia del Bon Cagar" (The Good-Crapping ditch)

Ey, have a good time and crap a lot!

Uncle "Manyes" shall help you

Tweet Val. "Que t'ajude el tio Manyes"

The uncle Manyes, in fact, doesn't exist. To achieve something, especially a physical activity, you have to do it on your own, using your own "manya", that is, your skills. This expression means that dexterity and skills are more useful than the use of brute force. It also implies that the person who tells you this saying is quite reluctant to help you. That is why he/she would tell you something like "Mr Yourself shall help you".

The legend says that a little boy had to carry some logs, and his father told him: "Keep walking and bring the logs, halfway there (a mitjan camí) the uncle Manyes will catch you and give you a hand". When the little boy arrived home, he was happy, because he had done it on his own... Meanwhile his father was drinking some cassalles in "El Segó" bar.

Cassalla: dry drink with a high alcohol content
segó = bran

It is better to indulge oneself than having a hundred tambourines

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Xiquet arrossegant panderos

Val. «Val més un gust que cent panderos»

S’usa per a indicar que no importa el que costa alguna cosa, si el que realment es desitja és tindre-la. L’expressió fa referència al costum nadalenc, hui desaparegut, que consistia en arrossegar pel carrer pots de llanda o llautó lligats entre ells. Estos s’anomenaven «panderos» per la similitud del pot de llanda a l’instrument musical. Esta pràctica es feia per a cridar l’atenció, fer soroll i armar festa. Els xiquets s’ho passaven d’allò més bé; d’ací que tindre cent panderos es considerara una cosa molt bona… però millor és satisfer un capritx personal que sempre has volgut.

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This saying means that if you like something, you shouldn’t worry about its price as long as it having it makes you happy. The expression comes from an old Christmas custom: children tied several cans with a string and dragged it through the streets as a long chain to make a big fuss. This cans were known as panderos (‘tambourines’) due to the similarity of the can to the instrument. Kids had great fun doing that. That is why having one hundred of these tambourines was considered a great thing… but not so great as to indulge oneself buying that thing you have always wanted.

If she is ugly but she wags it, good one! If she is fat but she does it well, great as well! If she is pretty but wants love, that's worse!

Tweet Val. Si és lletja però la meneja, bona! Si està grossa però ho fa bé, també! Si està bona i vol amor, pitjor!

"That's a fair lesson, Sir "(Tota una lliçó, sí senyor)

Three men for the bag, and the bag on the floor

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Val.: «Tres per al sac, i el sac en terra»

Es diu quan algunes persones juntes no fan la faena que podrien o haurien de fer.

To end up like Camot

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Val.: «Acabar com Camot»

La cultura valenciana va crear una mitologia de personatges que, a pesar del pas del temps, encara apareixen en algunes expressions i refranys. Alguns són donyets que viuen en el bosc o esperits que segresten i torturen els xiquets. En este cas, Camot representa el personatge del desgraciat, algú que estava destinat a morir o tindre un destí desastrós. Quan algú s'espendola i porta una mala vida, se'l sol advertir que acabarà com Camot. 

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Valencian culture developed a mythology of characters which, despite the ravages of time, still appear in some expressions and sayings. Some of them are goblins who dwell in the woods or spirits which are supposed to kidnap and torture the children. In this case, Camot stands for the character of the wretched, somebody who was bound to die or who came to a sticky end. When somebody goes astray, usually one tells him/her that he/she will end up like Camot (Acabaràs com Camot!)

You will find some information about Valencian mythological beings in here: (Catalan)

For nothing there's no need of hamper

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Val. «Per a no res no cal cabàs»

Es diu quan s'ha fet un esforç debades, o contestant a algú que diu que no necessita res.

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It's used when an effort has been done in vain.

Linguistic clarification: Valencians normally pronounce the word per a as pa.

A short pencil is better than a good memory

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Val. «Memòria curta, llapissera llarga»

Este refrany nos diu que la memòria humana no és infalible, aixina que més val no confiar-se i apuntar en algun lloc les coses importants que cal recordar.

Variants: «Val més llapissera curta que memòria llarga».

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This proverb tells us that human memory is limited, so it is better to write down somewhere those things we really want to remember.

Old cauldron: bump or hole

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Val. «Caldera vella: bony o forat»

Significa que les coses velles sempre tenen algun defecte.

It's said of old people or things. they always have some deffect.

What a pod had hapenned to me!

Tweet Val. «Quina baina m'ha passat!»

It's a set phrase used to express astonishment.

In Valencia the word 'baina' (also beina) can be used as synonymous of 'bother'.

Other example of this used is:

He, uncle pod!

Val. «El tio baina!»

It's used to reproach somebody for something. Most of the time it also implies that the 'baina' person has acted cunningly, that he is a cheeky devil or that he has nerve to to something. Thus, this expression would be a mild reproach, and sometimes even a positive amazement.

To be older than a mortar's bottom

Tweet

Val.: «Durar més que un cul de morter»

Significa durar o viure molt de temps. També es diu «durar més que un cul de morter (en un bancal)». 

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It's said about things that last long or healthy seniors. Like a kitchen mortar, they are constructed of materials which stand the test of time.

To be rougher than a quince

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Val.: «Ser més aspre que un codony»

Ser més aspre que un codony significa ser poc afable i de tracte difícil o desagradable. L'expressió també es pot fer servir per a comentar el tacte o el sabor aspre d'algun menjar o d'alguna cosa.

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It means 'to have surly temperament'.

Also it can be used for remarking the harsh touch or taste of food or anything else.

To be happier than a jujube [tree]

Tweet Val. "Estar més feliç que un gínjol [-er]"

It means to feel (oneself) irresponsible and lucky.

It's said because the jujube tree needs no care to grow up.

Hide the ducks... 'cause people from the capital are coming

Tweet

Val.: Amagueu els patos*, que venen de la capital

Esta advertència simbolitza la desconfiança de la gent de poble cap a les persones que viuen en ciutats.

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That sentence is used as a collective warning. It means that sometimes you must be careful with other people.

Linguistic clarifications:

*Patos is a Spanish barbarism. The standard word in Valencian is ànec or ànet.

To be dizzier than an 'all-i-oli'* sauce

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Val. «Estar més marejat que un allioli»

It's said when somethings makes you sick. All-i-oli is a Valencian gastronomic delicatessen. It's a thick sauce made of crushed garlicks & olive oil. It needs to be stirred a long while, that's why we relate this sauce with a dizzy state.

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Es diu quan una persona està marejada, desorientada i confusa.

We'll see... "that's what blindmen say"

Tweet

Val.: «Ja vorem... que diuen els cegos»

S'usa per a indicar desconfiança davant de promeses incertes.

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This sentence can be used as independent or as a set reply with comical effect. Its meaning, due to a synonimous effect, has a subtile interpretation. It must be understood this way:

Someone says: We'll see... [that's: maybe we all have an evidence of something at once]

And the reply is: ...that's said by blindmen. [in other words: All blindmen say "we will see at once"].

In any case this sentence is used for displaying mistrust about someone's (even oneselve's) affirmation.

To have a splash-like face

Tweet Val. «Tindre cara d'esguit»

It's said of people who have a peculiar face; as they were already spattered by something.

Not to stand up a handspam up from the ground

Tweet Val. «No alçar un pam de terra»

It's said of short people or kids.

To be drowned in a glass of water

Tweet

Val. «Ofegar-se en un got d'aigua»

Ofegar-se en un got d'aigua significa vore's incapaç d'afrontar la més mínima dificultat.

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Valencians say that someone chokes in a glass of water when people do not have any courage, they are fainthearted and timorous. It is said about people who are not able to face difficulties.

[To do something] ...as if the world was ending

Tweet Val. «[fer alguna cosa] ...com si s'acabara el món»

It means '[To do something] in an exaggerated and hopeless way'

To be the owner of the artichoke field

Tweet Val. «Ser l'amo/a del carxofar»

It means 'to assume the leadership of a group'

Lots!

Tweet Val. «Molt!»

It is an interjection used to liven up a situation; especially to congratulate or celebrate someone's initiative.

Ex. "I've bought some beer. // (answer): - Lots!!!"

Open the vine shoot!!!!

Tweet Val. «Obri el pàmpol!!!»

It means 'listen carefully'.

Not even to learn to die

Tweet

Val. «Ni per saber morir»

«Ni per saber morir» significa «de cap de les maneres».

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This weird and unaccountable expression can be used for saying 'in no way'.

Ex. «He doesn't moves from the sofa. Not even to learn die.» / «He not even to learn to die will move from the sofa.»

To burst like a firecracker

Tweet

Val. : «Rebentar com un tronador»

This expression can be used in its literal or figurative meaning. It's said when a situation or a person blows up due to the pressure.

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Esta expressió es pot usar en sentit literal o figurat. Es diu quan una situació o una persona rebenta a causa de la pressió.

To have grace in loads of 25 pounds

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El signe de l’arrova és ben antic (este és d’Albacete en 1775), i ara ha reviscolat amb l’ús que se’n fa en internet 

Val. «Tindre gràcia per arroves»

Es diu que algú té gràcia per arroves quan té la qualitat de fer riure els altres, quan és bromista i ocurrent; també quan té destresa i habilitat en una activitat, especialment l’artística (ballar, cantar, pintar, etc.). Esta frase feta s’usa, per tant, com a afalac cap a una persona. No obstant, també es pot gastar irònicament, i llavors pren el significat contrari: que la persona és dessaborida, seriosa o bé que, quan pretén bromejar, resulta ridícula o inclús bròfega i desagradable.

Una arrova és una mesura de pes que antigament es feia servir per a pesar productes com la farina, la taronja o l’oli, i hui dia encara està present en la ment de molts llauradors. Segons les zones on es gastava, l’arrova equivalia entre 10 i 13 quilos (com a mesura de massa) o entre 12 i 16 litres (com a mesura de capacitat) segons que el líquid fóra oli o vi. Per això, tindre alguna cosa «per arroves» vol dir, en sentit figurat, lo mateix que tindre’n «a cabassos», o siga, abundantment, sobradament i excessiva. No debades esta locució adverbial s’utilitza en altres frases fetes i refranys, com ara «El mal entra per arroves i se’n va per onces». Este, concretament, vol dir que les desgràcies de la vida nos vénen de sobte i tenen un efecte devastador, que es cura ―se’n va― a poc a poc amb el temps (cal pensar que una onça o unça són només 28,33 grams). 

Exemple d’ús:

Que tornen Noelia i Javi Vila! Cantaven fenomenal, sabien estar en l’escenari, tenien simpatia i eren els millors. [...] Jo tampoc comprenc perquè lleven gent que agrada a tot lo món, com no comprenguí quan et llevaren a tu, Abradelo, amb lo que te volem [...] A vore si tornes a vindre a Xàtiva. Per què no poseu a Noelia i a Javier? Tenen gràcia per arroves. 

Comentari d’un internauta en la web de la presentadora de televisió i cantant Maria Abradelo (adaptat) 

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The sentence Tindre la gràcia per arroves (literally, ‘To have grace by loads of 25 pounds’) is a compliment we pay to someone who has a gift for making people laugh. It also means that somebody has talent for painting, drawing or music: he ‘has grace’, that is, he does something gracefully. The compliment, however, is often used ironically. Then it comes to mean just the opposite: he or she is boring or, when he jokes o tries to be funny, he is coarse and disagreeable. 

An arrova is a customary unit of weight, mass or volume in Valencian agriculture. In weight it was equal to 25 pounds (11.5 kg) in Spain, and 32 pounds (14.7 kg) in Portugal. Per arroves in the popular saying comes to mean ‘a lot’.

To be a demon

Tweet Val. «Ser un dimoni»

It means 'to have an annoying behaviour'

To puzzle the Devil

Tweet Val. «Marejar el dimoni»

It is said when someone has a confusing attitude that makes sick everyone around him.

Ex. 'Stop doing that. You're puzzling the Devil!'

The Fig Anthology

Tweet 'Fig' is the Valencian equivalent for english swearword 'cunt'.

It's also used for name the fruits of the fig tree.

There's a whole collection on set phrases inpired by or around the fig. In his literal and figurative meaning...

- To have a fig as big as a hamper

Val. «Tindre una figa com un cabàs»
It means 'to be very lazy and irresponsible'

- To remain with one's fig well wide
Val. «Quedar-se amb la figa ben ampla»
It means 'to avoid the effort of solve a trouble'

- To be a soft fig
Val. «Ser una figa molla»
It's said about fainthearted or timorous people who do not usually take the initiative.
- Your aunt's fig
Val. «La figa (de) 'ta tia»
It's an interjection that means 'in no way'
- To do fig (your legs)
Val. «Fer figa (les cames)»
It's said when a limb or muscle fails.
- To be a fig-sucker
Val. «Ser un llepafigues»
It's said of people who butter up other people or, in a general, about flatterers.
- To be up to the fig
Val. «Estar fins la figa»
It means 'to be fed up of stand a situation'
- To touch oneselve's fig
Val. «Tocar-se la figa»
It means 'to do nothing'
- To be a fig full of tooth
Val. «Ser una figa amb dents»
It means 'to be fainthearted'
- In summer the fig searches for the dick
see entry

- The normal way is the fig for the bird
see entry

- A fig hair holds more appeal than a ship's hawser

see entry

To become stick dial

Tweet Val. «Tornar-se varilla»

Many devices have a gauge or stick indicator (odometer, speedometer) that fluctuates depending on a set parameter.

With this expression, Valencians would mean 'to become absolutely mad'; like a crazy stick meter on a flood device.

The silliest one makes clocks in here

Tweet Val. «Ací el més tonto* fa rellotges»

It's a comic sentence for saying that there's a lot of astute or shrewd people gathered together.

* standard: beneït

Man at night, puppet at day

Tweet Val. «Home de nit, ninot de dia»

It is used by parents when a son comes back home very late.

All prostitutes have fortune and I'm a bitch and a half and I don't have anything

Tweet

Val.: «Totes les putes tenen fortuna i jo puta i mitja i no en tinc ninguna»

It's a wailing refrain related with the fate of some women.

Were envy ringworm, what a lot of scabby people we’d see!

Tweet

La monomaníaca de l’enveja o Hiena de Salpêtrière, de Théodore Géricault.

Val. «Si l’enveja fora tinya, quants tinyosos hi haurien!»

Este refrany significa que l’enveja és un mal que afecta molta gent, encara que a sovint no ho advertim. I és que, mentres que la tinya és una infecció que es detecta a primera vista —els afectats presenten caspa, escames, crostes o pústules en la zona capil·lar—, l’enveja és un sentiment i, com a tal, no és tan visible, especialment perquè qui l’experimenta el tracta d’amagar. L’enveja es detecta a través dels actes de les persones a mesura que les coneixem; si fora tan visible com la tinya, nos faríem creus de quants envejosos tenim prop de nosaltres.

Variants:

«Si l’enveja fora tinya, tothom portaria barret».

«Si l’enveja fora tinya, no voríem mai el sol».

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This proverb means that envy is a resentful emotion that affects lots of people around us, although we don’t often realize it. Ringworm is a condition detectable at first sight —sick people present dandruffs or pustules in the scalp—, whereas envy is a feeling and, as such, it’s not that visible, especially because the greedy person tries to hide it. We detect envy through people’s behavior as we get to know them. Were envy so visible as ringworm, we’d be surprised how many envious people are close to us.

To be like chicken's stack

Tweet

Val.: «Estar com una garbera de galls»

Significa estar completament boig. També es diu «Estar com un cabàs de gats».

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It is said of someone who is very crazy.

You'll be rid of being a miller, but you won't escape from being a thief

Tweet Val. «De moliner fugiràs, però de lladre no te n'escaparàs»

It's said to bad people who cannot avoid their wickedness in any situation. Like a corrupt miller who changes his occupation but cannot get rid of his evil behaviour.

To cause more damage than a hailstorm

Tweet

Val.: «Fer més mal que una pedregada»

Es diu que una persona o una acció fa més mal que una pedregada quan és molt perjudicial i produïx un mal difícil de reparar. Es compara amb una pedregada perquè es tracta d’un fenomen meteorològic molt destructiu per als cultius, que pot fer malbé la collita i, amb això, la faena de tot un any. Poden fer més mal que una pedregada, per exemple, un delinqüent o un criminal, un exèrcit invasor, una decisió política, etc.

Exemples:

«Un nou centre comercial [...] dedicat exclusivament a superfícies comercials faria més mal que una pedregada als comerços de l’interior de Gandia»

Comentari de la vicealcaldessa de Gandia 

«Si no heu anat mai, hui fa un dia boníssim per a visitar el castell de Sagunt i la ciutat romana per on va passar Anníbal fent més mal que una pedregada».

Comentari en el Facebook d’Eugeni Alemany

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Fer més mal que una pedregada (literally, ‘To cause more damage than a hailstorm’) means to be very harmful and damaging. It is often said about people like offenders, thieves or murderers, who cause irreparable damage to other people, and also about policy measures or military actions that have a negative impact on citizens. Just like a hailstorm wipes out the harvest, human behaviour can be very harmful.

Linguistic clarification: Valencians generally pronounce the word pedregada as pedregà in everyday speech, dropping the d.

To be blockheader than a bundle of stem

Tweet Val. «Ser més burro que una garba de canyots»

It's said of someone who is seriously dumb.

By fire!

Tweet Val. «A foc!»

Interjection used to liven up a situation.

If you are hungry, have a bellow

Tweet

Val. «Si tens fam, pega un bram»

It's just a play on words used as a reply to someone who says 'I feel hungry'

Who wants no dust, mustn't go to the threshing floor

Tweet

A threshing floor in Greece

Val. «Qui no vullga pols que no vaja a l’era»

Esta expressió s’utilitza per a explicar que qualsevol acció té les seues conseqüències, i tu eres l’únic responsable de ficar-te en problemes o en situacions que et poden fer mal. Això s’expressa amb la metàfora de la pols (què és una cosa negativa): en una era sempre n’hi ha, aixina que si no vols trobar pols, millor no vages ahí.

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This expression is used to explain that some actions obviously have their consequences, and you are the only responsible of getting into trouble or mixed up in situations that may harm you. This is expressed with the metaphor of the dust (which is a negative thing): at a threshing floor (era) you’ll always find dust. So if you don’t want to encounter dust, you better think it twice and don’t go there.

Era (Valencian word for ‘threshing floor’) is a well-known place by Valencians. It is a large stretch of hard floor where the grain is threshed. This is a traditional construction in the rural areas of the Valencian Country, one of the major rice producers of the world.

To have spirits higher than C. D. Alcoià

Tweet

Val.: «Tindre més moral que l'Alcoià»

Tindre més moral que l'alcoià vol dir tindre molta moral, ser persistent contra l’adversitat.

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It means 'to have lots of optimism', regarding to the history of C. D. Alcoyano (see links below).

- variation(s):

To have as much morale as Alcoià

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More about C. D. Alcoyano in Wikipedia (Val.)
More about C. D. Alcoyano in Wikipedia (Eng.)

To be more pumpkin* than made to order

Tweet

Val.: «Ser més carabassa que manat a fer»

* pumpkin also means 'dumb' in Valencian. It means that someone is so dumb that it seems they have made him on purpose.

To catch a breast hair

Tweet

Val.: «Agafar un pèl de mamella»

Agafaràs un pèl de mamella! és una expressió que hui s’usa per a advertir a algú que, si no s’abriga, podria refredar-se. Però un pèl de mamella no és un constipat, sinó una denominació popular de la mastitis, una inflamació de les mamelles que es produïx en les mares lactants i, algunes vegades, en nounats i adolescents. Alguns símptomes d’eixa malaltia són els mateixos que els de la grip (el malestar i la febre). Per això, antigament la gent pensava que u corria el risc d’agafar la mastitis si s’exposava a un corrent d’aire fred. Hui dia, la consciència del significat original de «pèl de mamella» s’ha perdut; s’entén com a sinònim de constipat o grip, i l’ús s’ha restringit a esta advertència per a qui no es cuida del fred.

Exemples:

«Feia molt de fred […] de poc va anar que no ens agafés un pèl de mamella!».

(d’un blog de Vinaròs)

«¿No agafaran fred? A vore si agarren un pèl de mamella, com diuen al meu poble».

(comentari d’un Flickr en què apareixen unes figures nues)

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«Agafaràs un pèl de mamella» ―literally Agafaràs [‘You’ll catch’] un pèl [‘a hair’] de mamella [‘of breast’]― is a sentence used to warn somebody he might catch a cold if he doesn’t wrap up. Curiously, pèl de mamella is not exactly a cold; it is the popular name for puerperal mastitis, an inflammation of the mammary gland in the breast in connection with pregnancy, breastfeeding or weaning. This disease shows flu-like symptoms, that’s why in the past it was thought that people run the risk of catching the disease by exposing themselves to a cold draft.

To go around more than Piquer's trunk

Tweet Val. «Rodar més que el bagul de la Piquer*»

It means to move (somebody or something) constantly from a place to another.

* It's refered to Concha Piquer, well-known Valencian couplet singer.


- variation(s):

To go around more than a fake coin

Val. «Rodar més que un xavo fals»

To dunk the 'fartó'

Tweet

Val.: «Mullar el fartó»

És una manera bròfega de dir tindre sexe.

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It is a vulgar way for expressing 'to have a screw'

* fartó: Valencian gastronomic delicatessen. It's an elongated bun made of flour, milk, eggs, oil, sugar and backing powder. It's eated complemented with Valencian tiger nut's juice called orxata.
learn more about orxata i fartons.

To have sour flavoured bollocks

Tweet Val. «Tindre els collons agres»

It means 'to be fed up of stand a situation'

ex. "I've got sour flavoured bollocks of your arrogance"

To wipe one’s butt with confetti

Tweet

Val.: «Torcar-se-la amb un confeti»

Es diu, a manera de burla, que una persona se la torca amb un confeti quan és arrogant, estirada, primmirada, melindrosa i susceptible, i en conseqüència tendix a corregir i posar objeccions a lo que diuen, fan o proposen els altres. Sol dir-se de gent que es vana de ser culta o de classe alta o que, sense ser-ho, manifesten igualment un comportament altiu.

Es tracta d’una exageració: s’entén que torcar-se el cul amb un paperet tan xicotet és prova d’una finor i delicadea que contrasta amb la pràctica del restant dels mortals, que usa paper higiènic.

L’expressió mostra variacions, depenent de com vullgam ser d’explícits: es pot dir torcar-se el cul amb un confeti, torcar-se-la amb un confeti o torcar-s’ho amb un confeti. Totes fan referència als genitals o bé a l’anus.

Exemples:

«Tinc un amic (culte, tercer cicle universitari, una elit en la seva especialitat i que se la torca amb un confeti) que es nega a tocar un ordinador perquè (diu ell) no fa sonets».

D’un apunt sobre la gent que menysprea les noves tecnologies.

«I sí, el que diu Aida conforma ja per ell mateix un estàndard i com a tal l’entén el públic de la sèrie. Però on estan eixos altres estàndards no estàndards en la ficció en valencià? Jo no els veig per ninguna banda. Veig tot el contrari: que continuem torcant-nos-la amb un confeti».

Comentari en un debat sobre la tasca dels correctors lingüístics de les sèries de Canal 9.

Expressions relacionades: Filar prim, Menjar cervellets de canari.

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We say in mockery that somebody wipes his butt with confetti (literally es torca [‘wipes’] el cul [‘his/her butt’] amb un confeti [‘with confetti’]) when he or she is a snooty, an arrogant and fussy person who tends to correct and raise objections to everything others say, do or suggest. It is often said about people who boast of being cultured and high-class, even though it may not be true.

This exaggeration implies that wiping one’s butt with such a small piece of paper shows refinement and delicacy in contrast to what ordinary people do, that is, to use toilet paper.

To be ugliest than knock his father with a dirty sock

Tweet

Val.: «Ser més lleig que pegar-li a un pare amb un calcetí brut»

Someone who is ugly.

Do you know what Hueso said? “Instead of giving orders, do it yourself”

Tweet

Val. «Saps què va dir Hueso*?: “En lloc de manar-ho, fes-ho”»

Hi han persones que són molt còmodes i tenen el costum de manar als altres que facen coses que els pertocaria fer a elles mateixes. Esta frase servix de resposta per a quan algú nos mana fer alguna cosa que ell o ella pot fer perfectament. En el temps que la persona usa donant l’orde, podria fer l’acció desitjada ell mateix.

Amb este sentit, hi ha un refrany molt semblant: «Més val fer-ho que manar-ho». Este afig un altre matís de significat: per a que tot ixca bé i exactament com nosaltres hem pensat, millor no deixar la faena en mans d’un altre.

*«Hueso» deu ser el nom d’un personatge fictici, el nom del qual s’aprofita per a fer la rima.

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There are lazy people who use to ask everyone to do things they are supposed to do. This expression is a set reply to those who give us an order that they themselves are perfectly able to carry out. It means that during the time you waste giving the order you could have performed it yourself.

Hueso would be just a sort of fictitious character whose name helped to make a rhymed sentence. Hueso is the Spanish word for ‘bone’.

Possible alternatives:

«Do you know what Bone said? “While you give the order, you could have done it yourself”»

«Saps que va dir Hueso? “Mentres ho manes, fes-ho”»

To be (/remain) more bitter than a lupin field

Tweet

Val. «Estar (o quedar-se) més amarg que un tramussar»

Estar més amarg que un tramussar significa estar afectat per un gran dolor físic o moral; també significa ser molt lleig.

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It means 'to exit damaged or harmed from a situation'. It is a mistery why Valencians use that set phrase, because lupin beans aren't bitter at all (but maybe the lupin plant has bitter taste).

* see definitions for lupin at Wordreference.

With money, nougat candies

Tweet Val. «Amb diners, torrons»

It means that anything can be obtained by the power of money. The Valencian syntactic structure must be understood this way: "If you have got money, you have got nougat candies".

Common sense!

Tweet

Val. «Coneiximent!»

Este és un consell que els pares, els iaios o simplement la gent major diuen als jóvens quan estan a punt d’eixir (de viatge, de festa,etc.) perquè es comporten bé i no beguen en excés.

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This is an advice that parents, grandparents or just old people repeat to the young, asking them to behave properly and not to drink excessively.

Some other synonymous interjections hard to translate are:

―Crisma! (‘Chrism’, meaning common sense)

and

―Trellat! (meaning ‘reason’ and ‘common sense’)

Hold on!

Tweet

Val. «Aguanta!»

Esta interjecció s’utilitza quan algú està fent una cosa molesta, perquè pare. També s’usa per a demanar calma a la gent que té un caràcter impulsiu.

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This interjection is used for making someone stop doing something that is annoying. It can also be used for calming down someone’s impulsive nature.

Some equivalents in English: ‘Hang on!’; ‘Hold on a minute!’

Firewood!

Tweet Val. «Llenya!»

This interjection it's used for cheering up people, in order to encourage him to take the most of an action (drinking, for example).

Master’s love, water in a basket [and servant’s in a hamper]

Tweet

Val. «Amor d’amo, aigua en cistella [i el de criat en panera]»

Este refrany parla de les relacions entre amos i criats, entre caps i treballadors. Vol dir que en qualsevol relació en què una de les parts té poder i autoritat sobre l’altra, l’afecte que el superior puga mostrar pel subordinat ―o viceversa— no serà mai sincer, perquè segurament estarà suscitat per l’interés d’un per traure profit de l’altre. La falsedat i la caducitat d’este «amor» es mostra a través d’esta metàfora: l’aigua que, en ficar-la en una cistella de vímet, s’escola i desapareix tan prompte comencem a omplir-la.

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This proverb talks about the relationship between masters and servants. It means that every human relationship based on the use of power and authority cannot be honest and sincere. Love cannot occur between them because both master and servant act purely in their own interest. Hence the metaphor of the falseness of a love like this: if you try to carry water on a wicker basket or a hamper, the liquid drains through the gaps.

Observacions: Una altra expressió amb la locució i la metàfora «aigua en cistella» és «Amor de donzella, aigua en cistella».

Mother who goes... and father who comes back

Tweet Val. «La mare que va.... i el pare que torna»

This senseless set sentence is used to avoid a swearword when we are in the presence of kids or in a public context.

The original phrase would be:

"[I crap on] the mother who gave you birth"

Val. «[Me cague en] la mare que et va parir»

But in order to avoid this rude expression, we change the set phrase and add the sentence about the father.
This is possible as the auxiliary verb which forms the past in Valencian is also the verb 'to go'. Thus, if in the rude original expression we split "va parir" (gave you birth) and leave just "va" it can be interpreted as 'she goes', especially if we ad the second sentence i el pare que torna (and the father who comes back).

To heat oneself's pot

Tweet

Val.: «Calfar-se el perol»

Significa preocupar-se de manera constant i ininterrompuda per un tema.

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It means 'to think harder about something' or 'to think in a deep and unsttoped way'. It's used when any matter is the cause of a serious worrying and our head starts heating like a pot or a saucepan on a burner.

To be meaner than tench in juice

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Val. «Ser més roí que la tenca en suc»

Un valencià diria això a un altre que no es comporta bé i reincidix una vegada i una altra en la mateixa actitud vil.

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A Valencian would say this to another guy when the latter behaves in an improper way and relapses again and again into the same attitude. The saying means something like: ‘There is no hope for you’, ‘You’re hopeless’, ‘There’s no way of dealing with you.’

The two translations into English are due to the fact that roí in the original saying refers both to the evil nature of the character and to the bad flavour of the fish in question.

*also To be worst than tench in juice

The tongue tastes from what it talks

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Val.: «La llengua, del que parla, tasta» / «Del que parlaràs tastaràs»

Significa que no hem de condemnar o criticar el comportament dels altres, perquè algun dia nosaltres podríem comportar-nos de la mateixa manera, acabar fent el que tant critiquem.

Exemple: No digues que mai seràs infidel a la teua parella, perquè la llengua del que parla tasta.

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It means that we should not rashly condemn or criticise someone’s behaviour, cause we could end up behaving the same way in a given future. You never know when the same thing might happen to you.

E.g. Don’t say you would never leave your girlfriend cause the tongue tastes from what it talks.