German to English translations [PRO] Tech/Engineering - Computers: Systems, Networks / server farm
German term or phrase:Das A und O
This is the heading on a section of a case study about the use of computer servers to operate a personal networking site.
It looks to me like a suitable translation would be the "alpha and omega" (of the technology). The text is kind of cool and breezy so this would fit. But before I used that, I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing some colloquial German construct.
A und O is used really meaning "the essential(s) information/facts, all that is important or of significance. That's not necessarily everything there is about it but just what is considered "key".
My personal favourite so far is Mattis' "meat and potatoes" suggestion. ;-)
Wenn ich den Kontext richtig verstehe, werden hier die Server als das A und O von "personal networking sites" bezeichnet. Die Server sind also die wichtigste Komponente und der entscheidende Faktor für den Erfolg (bzw. überhaupt das Funktionieren) von Networking-Sites. No networking site without (powerful and reliable) servers. Servers are the backbone of the whole thing ('backbone' is not my own idea but one of the suggestions in the other KudoZ question - see Johanna's reference link below).
As Helen points out, this may well be a slight distortion of the orginal biblical phrase and its meaning, but it definitely is (and has always been) the meaning in German: das A und O = das Wesentliche, das Entscheidende
I've come to this question rather late and have read the various comments with interest. I am wondering about the expression "the lowdown". It's obviously very informal, but might work as "cool and breezy". As it can be found used with various meanings, such as "the whole truth", "everything (you need to know) about", "the real and unadorned facts", "the true facts and relevant information", "the most important facts (about something)", perhaps it could cover all the angles here? It is also used a lot in association with modern technology, although especially in a marketing context, e.g.
but Wikipedia also says that today´s meaning of "alpha and omega" is: Da jedes menschliche Leben einen Anfang und ein Ende hat, soll durch die biblische Aussage das Sich-dessen-bewusst-Werden angeregt werden. So geht die Bibel ja auch in vielen anderen Büchern davon aus, ein vollkommenes Leben zu führen bedeute, sich bewusst zu sein, dass man „kam, ist und gehen wird“ sowie das Sich-bewusst-Werden der Allgegenwärtigkeit Gottes. Somit sind Alpha und Omega ein Sinnbild für Vollkommenheit und Ästhetik bzw. repräsentieren etwas Ultimatives.
Auch heute gebraucht man die Redewendung „Das ist das A und das O ...“ noch und will damit sagen, dass etwas „das Wichtigste“ sei. In English thus: the quintessential, the most important "
Yes, Ellen, I agree. For me "A und O" has the ring of "das Wesentliche", the essence or crux of the matter. You could call it the "meat and potatoes", but you might end up out-breezing the original.
since the meaning is being distorted here so often. Perhaps it is generally distorted in GER, I don't know. But this is what it means:
The term Alpha and Omega comes from the phrase "I am the alpha and the omega" (Koiné Greek: τὸ Α καὶ τὸ Ω), an appellation of God in the Book of Revelation (verses 1:8, 21:6, and 22:13). Its meaning is found in the fact that Alpha (Α) and Omega (Ω) are respectively the first and last letters of the Classical (Ionic) Greek alphabet. This would be similar to referring to someone in English as "the A to Z". Thus, twice when the title appears it is further clarified with the additional title "the Beginning and the End" (21:6, 22:13).
just one more suggestion supplied by an online dict.:The essential factor; the all-important element; the supreme aim "profit is the be-all and end-all of business" - be all and end all ...
www.wordwebonline.com/en/BEALLANDENDALL
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The term Alpha and Omega comes from the phrase "I am the alpha and the omega" (Koiné Greek: τὸ Α καὶ τὸ Ω), an appellation of God in the Book of Revelation (verses 1:8, 21:6, and 22:13). Its meaning is found in the fact that Alpha (Α) and Omega (Ω) are respectively the first and last letters of the Classical (Ionic) Greek alphabet. This would be similar to referring to someone in English as "the A to Z". Thus, twice when the title appears it is further clarified with the additional title "the Beginning and the End" (21:6, 22:13).
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It means the totality, as I am sure you are aware, Harvey, so anything that conveys that would work - quintessential, be-all and end-all, the most important, all distort the meaning.
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How about 'All you need to know', which covers the totality aspect and makes a nod to these other GER nuances.
Helen Shiner United Kingdom Local time: 00:21 Meets criteria Native speaker of: English
