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Otto-Normal

English translation: (your) average driver


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14:15 Oct 15, 2011
German to English translations [PRO]
Tech/Engineering - Automotive / Cars & Trucks
German term or phrase: Otto-Normal
Vom Otto-Normal-Fahrer dürften viele Auto-Ingenieure keine hohe Meinung haben. Zwar zahlt der indirekt ihre Gehälter, doch seine Ignoranz sabotiert bisweilen den mühsam ertüftelten technischen Fortschritt. Wie raffiniert zum Beispiel neue Spritspartechniken auch sind - sie verpuffen, wenn wir einfach weiter mit Bleifuß fahren. Dass so gut wie kein Auto mit dem vorgesehenen Normverbrauch durch den Alltag fährt, liegt eben auch am Störfaktor Mensch
Jianming Sun
Local time: 09:58
English translation:(your) average driver
Explanation:
Often used as 'Otto Normalverbraucher' to signify your bog standard consumer. 'Bog standard driver' is probably a little too informal here, but that's the meaning.

But 'Your average driver' should do the trick.
Selected response from:

phoeberuth
Local time: 03:58
Grading comment
Thank you all for helping!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +5(your) average driver
phoeberuth
3 +2average driver / Joe Average Driver
Steffen Walter
4 -1John Doe (on the road) (driver)
Ramey Rieger


Discussion entries: 12





  

Answers


14 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +5
(your) average driver


Explanation:
Often used as 'Otto Normalverbraucher' to signify your bog standard consumer. 'Bog standard driver' is probably a little too informal here, but that's the meaning.

But 'Your average driver' should do the trick.

phoeberuth
Local time: 03:58
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Thank you all for helping!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Charles Rothwell: I agree
28 mins

agree  Andrew Swift
8 hrs

agree  Cilian O'Tuama: does the job nicely, no need for a Joe just because there's an Otto.
11 hrs

agree  British Diana
17 hrs

agree  Vanessa Schlueter
1 day6 hrs
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16 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +2
Otto-Normal-Fahrer
average driver / Joe Average Driver


Explanation:
The complete German term is "Otto-Normal-Fahrer", an analogy to the "Otto Normalverbraucher".

Compare http://www.proz.com/kudoz/782485 and
http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1853775,00....
"If gasoline drops $1.50 the $900 that Joe Average Driver saves would amount to a big stimulus package."

Steffen Walter
Germany
Local time: 03:58
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman
PRO pts in category: 246

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Kim Metzger: Joe Average driver would work nicely for a US audience.
14 mins
  -> ... as borne out by the Time Magazine reference :-)

agree  opolt: "J.A. driver" sounds good to me too.
7 hrs
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): -1
John Doe (on the road) (driver)


Explanation:
US English

Ramey Rieger
Local time: 03:58
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 8

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
disagree  Kim Metzger: The name "John Doe" is used as a placeholder name in a legal action, case or discussion for a male party, whose true identity is unknown or must be withheld for legal reasons. The name is also used to refer to a male corpse or hospital patient.. Wikipedia
1 hr

neutral  Andrew Swift: Dead On Errival
6 hrs
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Non-PRO (1): Cilian O'Tuama


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