English translation: (literally) walking slowly, for pleasure
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.
English to English translations [PRO] Slang / Colloquialisms
English term or phrase:rambling
Brazilian En-Portuguese slang glossary listed "rambling" colloquially as an adv. meaning "quickly", "at top speed", and used this example: "We went rambling down the road to the old farm." Is that legit at all? No dictionary other than the one I stumbled upon the case in bears out the alleged usage.
For a start, surely this isn't being used as an adverb in the example given? 'to go rambling' usually means 'to go for a hike in the country' — unless qualified with some other form of transport, one would usually assume walking, and hence, at a walking pace — i.e. slowly, rather than quickly!
I can understand someone saying it of a vehicular journey, meaning that the vehcile was just toddling gently along.
Cf. 'ambling', which also means slowly; and also, a 'rambling story / book / conversation / speech' — one that goes on and on and doesn't get to the point very quickly.
So although I'm by no means an exhaustive authority on the EN language, I can't help thinking your source must be wrong; and as I can't think of any simialr EN word with which it might have been confused, the only thing I can think of is that some confusion must have occurrd on the PT side of things.
Do note, however, that if this is really slang, then perhaps it is a modern usage with which I (an old fart!) am simply unfamiliar: lots of modern slang says the opposite of what it appears to mean, so something that is 'wicked' is actually 'really good'...
I agree to Tony as concerns the meaning. Moreover, there's a serious problem, I think, with listing "rambling" as an adverb. It is a verb, whether used colloquially or otherwise, and in this particular example it is used in the present participle and functions as an adverb (of manner). If I say "We wend running down the road", nobody would list "running" in a glossary as an adverb... :)
Automatic update in 00:
Answers
10 mins confidence: peer agreement (net): +5
See explanation below
Explanation: No, i'd say it isn't legit.
For a start, surely this isn't being used as an adverb in the example given? 'to go rambling' usually means 'to go for a hike in the country' — unless qualified with some other form of transport, one would usually assume walking, and hence, at a walking pace — i.e. slowly, rather than quickly!
I can understand someone saying it of a vehicular journey, meaning that the vehcile was just toddling gently along.
Cf. 'ambling', which also means slowly; and also, a 'rambling story / book / conversation / speech' — one that goes on and on and doesn't get to the point very quickly.
So although I'm by no means an exhaustive authority on the EN language, I can't help thinking your source must be wrong; and as I can't think of any simialr EN word with which it might have been confused, the only thing I can think of is that some confusion must have occurrd on the PT side of things.
Do note, however, that if this is really slang, then perhaps it is a modern usage with which I (an old fart!) am simply unfamiliar: lots of modern slang says the opposite of what it appears to mean, so something that is 'wicked' is actually 'really good'...
Tony M France Local time: 03:23 Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 20
The translation workplace 
peer agreement (net): +5