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Catch some zzz's

English translation: catch forty winks


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GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
English term or phrase:Catch some zzz\'s
English translation:catch forty winks
Entered by: Sarita Jannin
Options:
- Contribute to this entry
- Include in personal glossary

09:45 Nov 22, 2011
English to English translations [Non-PRO]
Art/Literary - General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
English term or phrase: Catch some zzz's
Hi, I'm trying to find a similar expression that corresponds better with British English. Any suggestions appreciated! Thanks!
Sarita Jannin
Local time: 03:05
catch forty winks
Explanation:
I understand that this is used in both the UK and the US.
What is the history of the phrase forty winks?
It comes from an 1872 issue of Punch, the British humor magazine. Punch referred to the Thirty-nine Articles of faith of the Church of England, joking that actually reading through...
http://www.chacha.com/question/what-is-the-history...; In American English there is a nice phrase "to take a cat nap", but this does not seem to be as common an expression in the UK.
Idle thoughts | Money | The Guardian
www.guardian.co.uk/money/.../careers.work6 - Traducir esta página
4 Feb 2006 – On the bench I was free: I could read, eat, observe the world around me, sink into a pleasant reverie or even catch forty winks. ...; Pupils walk out of ... - East London and West Essex Guardian Series
www.guardian-series.co.uk/.../4377621.LOUGH... - Traducir esta página
18 May 2009 – East London and West Essex Guardian Series .... as would every sixth former surreptitiously trying to catch forty winks after another impossibly ...
Selected response from:

Jenni Lukac
Local time: 03:05
Grading comment
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +6Get some shut-eye
Andrew Mason
4 +5grab some kip
Paul Lambert
4 +3have a napRowan Morrell
4 +3catch forty winks
Jenni Lukac


Discussion entries: 5





  

Answers


3 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +5
catch some zzz's
grab some kip


Explanation:
One option.

Paul Lambert
Sweden
Local time: 03:05
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 12

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Charles Davis
3 mins
  -> Thank you

agree  Andrew Mason: Pretty good also
5 mins
  -> Thanks

agree  Aisha Maniar: or "get" some kip
31 mins
  -> Thanks and yes "Get some kip" works too.

agree  Noni Gilbert
46 mins
  -> Thankyou

agree  B D Finch: "have a kip"
56 mins
  -> Thanks. "Have a kip" is good as well.
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4 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +6
catch some zzz's
Get some shut-eye


Explanation:
Without context it is a little difficult to be sure but I am assuming your expression means getting some sleep. If that is not the case then ignore my suggestion.

Andrew Mason
France
Local time: 03:05
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Charles Davis
2 mins
  -> Many thanks Charles

agree  Jeux de Mots
2 mins
  -> Many thanks, ????

agree  Noni Gilbert
45 mins
  -> Thanks

agree  B D Finch: Though this might be slightly dated?// Both of us I fear!
56 mins
  -> Like me you mean.........

agree  Paul Lambert: Yes, this works, but is also said on the other side of the puddle.
2 hrs

agree  eski
1 day9 hrs
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16 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
catch some zzz's
catch forty winks


Explanation:
I understand that this is used in both the UK and the US.
What is the history of the phrase forty winks?
It comes from an 1872 issue of Punch, the British humor magazine. Punch referred to the Thirty-nine Articles of faith of the Church of England, joking that actually reading through...
http://www.chacha.com/question/what-is-the-history...; In American English there is a nice phrase "to take a cat nap", but this does not seem to be as common an expression in the UK.
Idle thoughts | Money | The Guardian
www.guardian.co.uk/money/.../careers.work6 - Traducir esta página
4 Feb 2006 – On the bench I was free: I could read, eat, observe the world around me, sink into a pleasant reverie or even catch forty winks. ...; Pupils walk out of ... - East London and West Essex Guardian Series
www.guardian-series.co.uk/.../4377621.LOUGH... - Traducir esta página
18 May 2009 – East London and West Essex Guardian Series .... as would every sixth former surreptitiously trying to catch forty winks after another impossibly ...

Jenni Lukac
Local time: 03:05
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 100

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Andrew Mason: Following on from Charles's comments this is probably the most genteel of the suggestions so far
42 mins
  -> Thanks very much, Andrew.

neutral  B D Finch: Only if it is short.
43 mins
  -> The context is not clear here. The asker will know what fits the context best.

agree  Sheila Wilson: Possible. However, I don't know it would be suitable for a young readership (if that's the case here). My mother used to say this back in the 50s and it seems a bit dated to me.
10 hrs
  -> Thanks, Sheila. The asker will have to choose based on the context.

agree  eski: Also good! eski :))
1 day9 hrs
  -> Cheers and thanks, eski.
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43 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
catch some zzz's
have a nap


Explanation:
This is probably the most neutral way of saying it, and works equally well on both sides of the Atlantic, I think.

Rowan Morrell
Local time: 13:05
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 12

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Noni Gilbert: As you say, more neutral, but unless there is some reason that the expression has to be overtly colloquial, this also works well.
7 mins
  -> Thanks Aceavila.

agree  Ty Kendall: This is the one I use all the time (I'm fond of naps) and I'm British. The other suggestions are possible but more marked for sure.
54 mins
  -> Indeed. Thanks Ty.

agree  Tina Vonhof
6 hrs
  -> Thanks Tina.
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