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Luxus der eigenen Meinung

English translation: [to indulge in] the luxury of a personal opinion


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GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
German term or phrase:Luxus der eigenen Meinung
English translation:[to indulge in] the luxury of a personal opinion
Entered by: adamgajlewicz
Options:
- Contribute to this entry
- Include in personal glossary

19:25 Jan 27, 2011
German to English translations [Non-PRO]
Art/Literary - Poetry & Literature / Beautiful phrase
German term or phrase: Luxus der eigenen Meinung
I often use this phrase in German and have always wondered how it could be expressed in English eloquently.
The origin of the phrase is adequately described in Zitate und Aussprüche (Duden 12). "Mit diesem Ausdruck wird in leicht ironischer Weise der Tatbestand umschrieben, daß sich jemand eine eigene, unabhängige Meinung leistet. Der Ausdruck wird dem Reichskanzler Otto von Bis-marck (1815-1898) zugeschrieben. In verschiedenen Reden hat sich Bismarck ganz ähnlicher Formulierungen bedient, wobei er den Personen, die sich den Luxus erlaubten, „eine Meinung streng für sich" zu haben und sie öffentlich zu vertreten, eher kritisch gegenüberstand." I wonder if you could help me find the best English equivalent. TIA
adamgajlewicz
Local time: 14:20
(to indulge in) the luxury of a personal opinion
Explanation:
as an alternative
Selected response from:

Wendy Streitparth
Local time: 14:20
Grading comment
Thank you for you answers.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +4(to indulge in) the luxury of a personal opinion
Wendy Streitparth
4 +3the luxury of having a personal (your own) opinion
Ramey Rieger
3 +2to be entitled to one's (own) opinion
Cilian O'Tuama


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


13 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +4
(to indulge in) the luxury of a personal opinion


Explanation:
as an alternative

Wendy Streitparth
Local time: 14:20
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
Grading comment
Thank you for you answers.
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thank you, Wendy.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Juliana Mraz
3 hrs
  -> Danke schön, Juliana. Schönes Wochenende.
agree  Thayenga
10 hrs
  -> Danke Thayenga. Schönes Wochenende.
agree  Ingrid Velleine
18 hrs
  -> Danke schön, Ingrid. Schönes Wochenende.
agree  ElliCom: elegant
1 day1 hr
  -> Herzlichen Dank, Elli.
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16 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
the luxury of having a personal (your own) opinion


Explanation:
This is how it was often quoted "at" me in school when I was arguing with my teachers

Ramey Rieger
Local time: 14:20
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 8
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thank you, Ramey.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Juliana Mraz
2 hrs
  -> thanks, Juliana - does it ring a bell?
agree  Thayenga
10 hrs
  -> thanks, Thayenga, where'd you get the cool name?
agree  Danila Moro
15 hrs
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20 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +2
to be entitled to one's (own) opinion


Explanation:
as in:
everyone is entitled to their/his own opinion ( but not to their/his own facts)

sees to fit your context, if I read it correctly

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 21 mins (2011-01-27 19:47:14 GMT)
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or "seems" even

Cilian O'Tuama
Local time: 14:20
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 27
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thank you, Cilian.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  philgoddard: I don't think you can leave out the word "luxury" - that completely changes the meaning, and loses the irony.
4 mins
  -> You really think so? Is an entitlement not a sort of luxury? Would you use the word "entitle" other than when referring to something you've "earned", i.e. to something special, a "luxury"?
agree  Andrew Swift: I think this is what the asker wants.
3 hrs
agree  Thayenga
10 hrs
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Voters for reclassification
as
PRO / non-PRO		Non-PRO (3): Andrew Swift, Thayenga, philgoddard


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Changes made by editors
Jan 28, 2011 - Changes made by philgoddard:
LevelPRO => Non-PRO


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