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

imagine the odds......of all the gin joints in the world

English translation: think how unlikely it is that this should happen.....[that we should meet] in this particular bar (30's/40's) (world is so big)

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
English term or phrase:imagine the odds......of all the gin joints in the world
Selected answer:think how unlikely it is that this should happen.....[that we should meet] in this particular bar (30's/40's) (world is so big)
Entered by: DGK T-I

07:35 May 28, 2003
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Art/Literary
English term or phrase: imagine the odds......of all the gin joints in the world
a fregment of a movie - ocean's eleven
ajtotal
Local time: 06:09
think how unlikely it is that this should happen.....[that we should meet] in this particular bar
Explanation:
think how unlikely it is that this should happen.....[that we should meet] in this particular bar

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2003-05-28 07:42:51 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

\"the odds\", are the chances (probability) of something happening, or in this case, not happening.
Betters on races, etc calculate the odds of winning, eg: \"4 to 1 against\" and the word is generally used for probability and improbability of things happening.

The expression (he!) means is \"odds against\" in this case - the chances of it not happening.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2003-05-28 07:44:11 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

You could also say it, in your sentence:
\"Think how improbable it is that.............\"

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2003-05-28 07:45:09 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

\"gin joints\" are 1930s & 40\'s bars selling Gin (the alcoholic spirit)

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2003-05-28 07:45:51 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

It comes originally from the famous film, \"Casablanca\" of the 1940\'s !

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2003-05-28 07:47:55 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Rick (Humphrey Bogart) says it to his old love, who comes into his bar in Casblanca, after they parted in Paris a long time before.

He is, to say the least, very disturbed.
It is one of \"The Great\" films........

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2003-05-28 07:51:24 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Rick says something like \"Imagine the odds......of all the gin joints in all of the world, that you should walk into mine\"

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2003-05-28 07:53:55 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

It\'s become a very widely used quotation (and joke) used in all sorts of situations

(along with the phrase \"play it again, Sam !\", but that\'s another story)



--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2003-05-28 07:54:48 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

It\'s become a very widely used quotation (and joke) used in all sorts of situations

(along with the phrase \"play it again, Sam !\", but that\'s another story)

Selected response from:

DGK T-I
United Kingdom
Local time: 05:09
Grading comment
thank you , I was primarily interested with the Gin joints term I simply must have missed Casablanca. I felt there is irony and i think I unerstood it just the way you explained it but i could not fully enjoy this irony without the Gin joint term- i thought maybe it had sth to do with prison (joint)
thank you
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
5 +3think how unlikely it is that this should happen.....[that we should meet] in this particular bar
DGK T-I
4 +3amazing coincidence
jerrie


  

Answers


2 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +3
think how unlikely it is that this should happen.....[that we should meet] in this particular bar


Explanation:
think how unlikely it is that this should happen.....[that we should meet] in this particular bar

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2003-05-28 07:42:51 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

\"the odds\", are the chances (probability) of something happening, or in this case, not happening.
Betters on races, etc calculate the odds of winning, eg: \"4 to 1 against\" and the word is generally used for probability and improbability of things happening.

The expression (he!) means is \"odds against\" in this case - the chances of it not happening.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2003-05-28 07:44:11 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

You could also say it, in your sentence:
\"Think how improbable it is that.............\"

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2003-05-28 07:45:09 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

\"gin joints\" are 1930s & 40\'s bars selling Gin (the alcoholic spirit)

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2003-05-28 07:45:51 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

It comes originally from the famous film, \"Casablanca\" of the 1940\'s !

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2003-05-28 07:47:55 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Rick (Humphrey Bogart) says it to his old love, who comes into his bar in Casblanca, after they parted in Paris a long time before.

He is, to say the least, very disturbed.
It is one of \"The Great\" films........

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2003-05-28 07:51:24 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Rick says something like \"Imagine the odds......of all the gin joints in all of the world, that you should walk into mine\"

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2003-05-28 07:53:55 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

It\'s become a very widely used quotation (and joke) used in all sorts of situations

(along with the phrase \"play it again, Sam !\", but that\'s another story)



--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2003-05-28 07:54:48 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

It\'s become a very widely used quotation (and joke) used in all sorts of situations

(along with the phrase \"play it again, Sam !\", but that\'s another story)



DGK T-I
United Kingdom
Local time: 05:09
PRO pts in pair: 401
Grading comment
thank you , I was primarily interested with the Gin joints term I simply must have missed Casablanca. I felt there is irony and i think I unerstood it just the way you explained it but i could not fully enjoy this irony without the Gin joint term- i thought maybe it had sth to do with prison (joint)
thank you

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Christopher Crockett: My memory of it is of Rick talking to Sam, not to her:"..*she* should walk into mine."He's not a happy camper, having this old wound re-opened. It's not just the coincidence, but the fact that the whole damned world has conspired to ruin his life.
6 hrs
  -> Hello Christopher ~ I think your memory is right - isn't it strange how memory can play tricks. Also, that's a very good description of how he feels, and why. A wonderful film.... :-)
agree  David Moore (X): I agree with Chris's recollection of the film too
3 days 5 hrs
  -> :-) me too !
agree  J. Leo (X)
4 days
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

3 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
amazing coincidence


Explanation:
(of all the gin joints (bars) in all the world you had to walk into this one...)

What are the odds against me meeting you here?
What an amazing coincidence!

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2003-05-28 07:48:16 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

If it\'s about the bit where George Clooney first makes contact with Julia Roberts in Vegas, then the line is heavy on irony!

As Louise says, ref: Casablanca....

but...he knew exactly where she was! She might think it\'s an amazing coincidence, but the meeting was as well orchestrated/plotted as the entire heist (was the reason for the robbery!)

jerrie
United Kingdom
Local time: 05:09
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in pair: 773

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Louise Mawbey: yes, is a reference to the film Casablanca with Humphrey Bogart
4 mins
  -> Thanks
agree  DGK T-I: Two minds thinking in unison !:-)
9 mins
agree  Christopher Crockett: Yes, Great Minds do Run in the Same Ruts. But the quote is "*she*" not "you", because Rick (well into his cups) is talking to Sam, not to Ilsa. Perhaps the Cloony & Roberts rip-off messed with those Great Minds?
6 hrs
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
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search