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.
German to English translations [PRO] Art/Literary - Poetry & Literature
German term or phrase:Kalfakter
This is from the story "Krambambuli", which I'm proofreading. The main character is talking to his dog, who has been torn between his new and old masters:
"Deserteur, Kalfakter, pflicht- und treuvergessene Kanaille!"
I have found the meaning "odd-job man" for Kalfakter, as well as "stoker", neither of which makes much sense here. Would it be "mercenary" perhaps?
Explanation: I'd never heard the term before, but my 1899 Thieme-Preusser gives the following:
1. stoker, waiter; 2. (fig) eye-servant, time-server; 3. runaway dog
Now, "runaway dog" would make sense as this is about an allegedly faithless dog, but perhaps "eyeservant" would be more applicable:
"A servant who attends faithfully to his duty ONLY when watched." [Websters Revised Unabridged 1913]
Yes, I think "mercenary" would cover it well, in the sense of somebody doing anything (including betraying someone) for money.
14:03 Jun 6, 2006
Automatic update in 00:
Answers
39 mins confidence: peer agreement (net): +2
eyeservant / runaway
Explanation: I'd never heard the term before, but my 1899 Thieme-Preusser gives the following:
1. stoker, waiter; 2. (fig) eye-servant, time-server; 3. runaway dog
Now, "runaway dog" would make sense as this is about an allegedly faithless dog, but perhaps "eyeservant" would be more applicable:
"A servant who attends faithfully to his duty ONLY when watched." [Websters Revised Unabridged 1913]
xxxFrancis Lee Local time: 14:17 Works in field Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 80
Grading comment
Thanks, Francis - well, you learn something new everyday, as they say!
8 hrs confidence: peer agreement (net): +1
toady
Explanation: "Kalfakter" is used first of all for a prisoner who works for the prison administration, e.g. serving the meals to his fellow prisoners - more commonly "Kalfakter" stands for anyone kissing the boots of his "master"
Ebner Eschenbach uses it in her story in this second sense.
Thomas Atzert Germany Local time: 14:17 Specializes in field Native speaker of: German
The translation workplace 
peer agreement (net): +2
