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when pigs fly

German translation: Am Sankt Nimmerlein

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14:22 Oct 26, 2011

English to German translations [Non-PRO]
Art/Literary - General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters / proverbs and sayings

English term or phrase: when pigs fly

popular expression. I am looking for proverbs, popular expressions and images in several European languages, namely French, English, Spanish and German to compare them. I have the equivalents of this expression in all the languages mentioned except German. Thank you for giving it to me along with the exact meaning in English or French.

Mrs Francoise Clausse

German translation:Am Sankt Nimmerlein

Explanation:
http://www.dict.cc/?s=when pigs fly

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Note added at 6 Stunden (2011-10-26 21:08:23 GMT)
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Für alle Fälle, jetzt habe ich mich nochmals im Duden vergewissert. Dort ist es:
der Sankt-Nimmerleins-Tag
die führenden Presseagenturen benutzen diese Schreibweise ebenfalls, da sie auf keine abweichende Form hinweisen.

Demzufolge schreibe ich der Sankt-Nimmerlein (Kenne ich mehr aus dem Norddeutschen) oder Sankt-Nimmerleins-Tag (für mich mehr Süddeutsch).

http://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Sankt_Nimmerleins_Tag

Selected response from:

Christian Müller
Local time: 09:22

Grading comment

The most helpful answer was Thomas Pfann's because the explanations were in English and very interesting. Many thanks to him.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

5 +10

Am Sankt Nimmerlein

Christian Müller

4 +2

Wenn die Hölle zufriert.

Thomas Giebler

3 +2

Wenn Schweine fliegen koennen

Natascha Daiminger

Summary of reference entries provided

Aside...

Caro Giese

omniglot - 'flying pig' phrase in various languages

Thomas Pfann

Discussion entries: 4

Answers

41 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +2

Wenn die Hölle zufriert.

Explanation:
...falls es auch etwas "böser" sein darf. ;-)

Thomas Giebler
Local time: 14:22
Native speaker of:

German,

English

6 hrs confidence:

peer agreement (net): +2

Wenn Schweine fliegen koennen

Explanation:
Sagt man das nur bei uns in Hessen? Bei uns ist das durchaus gelaeufig. Eher allerdings noch im Konjunktiv: Wenn Schweine fliegen koennten.

Natascha Daiminger
Local time: 05:22
Native speaker of:

German

8 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +10

Am Sankt Nimmerlein

Christian Müller
Local time: 09:22
Works in field
Native speaker of:

German

Grading comment

The most helpful answer was Thomas Pfann's because the explanations were in English and very interesting. Many thanks to him.

Reference comments

14 mins peer agreement (net): +5

Reference: Aside...

Reference information:
An einem alten Fachwerkhaus in unserer Straße steht über dem Hoftor:
Wenn Esel Flöten blasen und Schnecken springen wie die Hasen
Wenn Menschen wollen nimmer zanken, dann erst soll dieser Giebel wanken.
Ist das nicht schön?

Caro Giese
Germany
Specializes in field
Native speaker of:

German
PRO pts in category: 4

6 hrs

Reference: omniglot - 'flying pig' phrase in various languages

Reference information:
This might be useful: The flying pig phrase in a whole bunch of different languages - each with an English translation.

Interesting to see that the Poles, too, have "St Never's Day" and the Italians say (amongst other things) "when donkeys fly".

For German four options are given:

Quote:
-----------------------------------------------
Wenn Ostern und Pfingsten auf einen Tag fallen
When Easter and Whistun fall on the same day

Am Sankt-Nimmerleinstag / an Sankt Nimmerlein
On Saint Never's day / on Saint Never

Wenn die Hölle zufriert
When hell freezes over

Wenn es im Sommer schneit
When it snows in summer
-----------------------------------------------

Reference: http://www.omniglot.com/language/idioms/flyingpigs.php#germa...

Thomas Pfann
United Kingdom
Native speaker of:

German
PRO pts in category: 4

Note to reference poster

Asker: Your answer was the most helpful. As a speaker of both German and English you provided me with several answers along with the English translations. Many thanks to you.

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when pigs fly

German translation: Am Sankt Nimmerlein

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when pigs fly

German translation: Am Sankt Nimmerlein

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Reference comments

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

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