Polish: niewypałEnglish translation: 1. a dud 2. a damp squib 
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Polish to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Linguistics | | Polish term or phrase: niewypał | | W znaczeniu niewypał z fajerwerków |
| | Clarification request(s) and responsepidzej: 9:43am Jan 21, 2008: jeżeli z fajerwerków to kategoria Military/ fajerwerki, jeżeli przenośnie - linguistics jak najbardziej
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| | 1. a dud 2. a damp squib | Explanation:
I know it's not the done thing to give two answers, but so much depends on the context and you haven't really given us any. A firework that doesn't go off is most definitely a dud. However, even if the firework is e.g. a rocket or a Catherine wheel, rather than a squib, the expression 'damp squib' could also be used and would not only be absolutely acceptable, but also has the advantage of a second, metaphoric meaning.
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dud informal
n noun
1 a thing that fails to work properly.
ORIGIN
Middle English: of unknown origin.
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squib
n noun
1 a small firework that hisses before exploding.
ORIGIN
C16: of unknown origin; perhaps imitative of a small explosion.
(Both from "The Concise Oxford English Dictionary)
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squib (skwb)
n.
1.
a. A small firecracker.
b. A broken firecracker that burns but does not explode
(From: http://tinyurl.com/2uuuf8)
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[edit] Origin of the phrase "damp squib"
Being an explosive, cheaper uninsulated squibs need to be kept dry in order to ignite, so a "damp squib" is literally one that fails to ignite because it got wet. The phrase "damp squib" has since come into general use to mean anything that fails to meet expectations.[5] The word "squib" has come to take on a similar meaning even when used alone, sometimes referring to a firecracker that fails to fully explode,[6] or a bullet that fails to leave the gun barrel (similar in meaning to the word "dud").
(From: http://tinyurl.com/2vamnr) |
| Selected response from:
 Caryl Swift
Poland
| Note from asker to answererSelected automatically based on peer agreement.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer |
|
2 mins confidence:   |
3 mins confidence: peer agreement (net): +2 |
| unexploded firework (shell)
Explanation:
Tak oto.
| Dariusz Saczuk
United States
Specializes in field
Native speaker of:  Polish
PRO pts in category: 24
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|
3 hrs confidence: peer agreement (net): +2 |
| 1. a dud 2. a damp squib
Explanation:
I know it's not the done thing to give two answers, but so much depends on the context and you haven't really given us any. A firework that doesn't go off is most definitely a dud. However, even if the firework is e.g. a rocket or a Catherine wheel, rather than a squib, the expression 'damp squib' could also be used and would not only be absolutely acceptable, but also has the advantage of a second, metaphoric meaning.
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dud informal
n noun
1 a thing that fails to work properly.
ORIGIN
Middle English: of unknown origin.
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squib
n noun
1 a small firework that hisses before exploding.
ORIGIN
C16: of unknown origin; perhaps imitative of a small explosion.
(Both from "The Concise Oxford English Dictionary)
----------------------------------------------------------
squib (skwb)
n.
1.
a. A small firecracker.
b. A broken firecracker that burns but does not explode
(From: http://tinyurl.com/2uuuf8)
--------------------------------------------------------------
[edit] Origin of the phrase "damp squib"
Being an explosive, cheaper uninsulated squibs need to be kept dry in order to ignite, so a "damp squib" is literally one that fails to ignite because it got wet. The phrase "damp squib" has since come into general use to mean anything that fails to meet expectations.[5] The word "squib" has come to take on a similar meaning even when used alone, sometimes referring to a firecracker that fails to fully explode,[6] or a bullet that fails to leave the gun barrel (similar in meaning to the word "dud").
(From: http://tinyurl.com/2vamnr)
| Caryl Swift
Poland
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 24
|
| Note from asker to answerer| Selected automatically based on peer agreement. |
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