"dienstbarer Zwerg"

English translation: secret helper

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
German term or phrase:dienstbarer Zwerg
English translation:secret helper
Entered by: Dawn Montague

07:45 Jan 14, 2001
German to English translations [PRO]
German term or phrase: "dienstbarer Zwerg"
"Er fungiert offensichtlich als Handlanger, als 'dienstbarer Zwerg' des Pharma-Kartells."
I know the literal translation of this -- is there a better term in English?
Dawn Montague
United States
Local time: 09:19
secret helper
Explanation:
Or perhaps "little helper".

Kristina
Selected response from:

Kristina M (X)
Local time: 09:19
Grading comment
Thanks so much!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
nasecret helper
Kristina M (X)
naallround man/helper
Elisa Capelão
nafactotum
Ulrike Lieder (X)
naall-round handyman
Elisa Capelão
nabonded dwarf or midget
Muhammad Riedinger


  

Answers


17 mins
secret helper


Explanation:
Or perhaps "little helper".

Kristina


Kristina M (X)
Local time: 09:19
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in pair: 94
Grading comment
Thanks so much!
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44 mins
allround man/helper


Explanation:
I think in this context it means that he is the one you call for any sort of help/work, someone who does all sorts of things ( in this case for the Pharma Kartell).
There might be an even better expression for it but the above is the only one I can think of right now
Good luck!

Elisa Capelão
Local time: 14:19
Native speaker of: Native in PortuguesePortuguese
PRO pts in pair: 117
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1 hr
factotum


Explanation:
Just another option.

Factotum is defined as
An employee or assistant who serves in a wide range of capacities
www.bartleby.com/61/82/F0008200.html

"man Friday" might also be an option.


Ulrike Lieder (X)
Local time: 06:19
Native speaker of: German
PRO pts in pair: 3525
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2 hrs
all-round handyman


Explanation:
Me again...
gave it a little more thought and here goes:
Zwerg has the connotation of "small" meaning this is someone small in importance/status. The same word Zwerg means dwarf and gives here the connotation of a hard worker (its known that dwarves are preceived as being hard workers). "Dienst" means as u know service.
I think this gives u an idea of what is meant.
Man Friday is used to describe single help/assistance to an individual/single person and it comes from a story you might have heard of:
Robinson Crusoe shipwrecked on an island and took a native as his helper and this happened on a Friday...hence the term "Man Friday"!

Good luck again!



    My own knowledge
Elisa Capelão
Local time: 14:19
Native speaker of: Native in PortuguesePortuguese
PRO pts in pair: 117
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3 hrs
bonded dwarf or midget


Explanation:
Why not do a literal one? I think the metaphor in German is rather strong, giving an undertone of contempt, and if you translate it as help etc. that is lost.
good luck

Muhammad Riedinger
Pakistan
Local time: 18:19
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman
PRO pts in pair: 26
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