https://www.proz.com/kudoz/English/idioms-maxims-sayings/3061349-when-memory-serves.html
This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
  1. KudoZ™ Top
  2. English
  3. Idioms / Maxims / Sayings

"When memory serves"

English translation: When I have remembered to do so

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
English term or phrase:"When memory serves"
Selected answer:When I have remembered to do so
Entered by: Noni Gilbert Riley

16:39 Feb 1, 2009
English language (monolingual) [Non-PRO]
Idioms / Maxims / Sayings / English expression
English term or phrase: "When memory serves"
(Doctor)" Have you taken your meds?" (Patient) "When memory serves..." --- I'ts quite clear from this context, though only one Portuguese-English dictionary shows it - never seen the expression in a English one - and it barely scratches the surface of an explanation. Meaning in fact is????
FNO
When I have remembered to do so
Explanation:
Suggesting that the patient's memory isn't as good as it could be, and therefore that the patient can't assure the doctor about having always remembered to take the medication.

Boils down to : "probably not that often"!
Selected response from:

Noni Gilbert Riley
Spain
Local time: 08:40
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
4 +6When I have remembered to do so
Noni Gilbert Riley


  

Answers


7 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +6
"when memory serves"
When I have remembered to do so


Explanation:
Suggesting that the patient's memory isn't as good as it could be, and therefore that the patient can't assure the doctor about having always remembered to take the medication.

Boils down to : "probably not that often"!

Noni Gilbert Riley
Spain
Local time: 08:40
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 8
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Egil Presttun
2 mins
  -> Thanks Egil
agree  JaneTranslates: It's a somewhat unusual construction, though. Much more common is "if memory serves," with a different meaning. But I think you've pegged this one.
1 hr
  -> Thanks Jane.
agree  ohemulen
2 hrs
  -> Thanks again Kristina.
agree  Jonathan MacKerron: if I remember correctly"
2 hrs
  -> Thanks Jonathan
agree  Armorel Young: A more common way of putting this is "If my memory serves me right" - but it wouldn't be used in quite this context.
2 hrs
  -> Yes - thanks Armorel.
agree  Mohamed Mehenoun: yeah that's the meaning "if memory serves" you should find plenty of reference on that...
5 hrs
  -> Thanks Mohamed.
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:
ProZ.com term search
Search millions of term translations