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Glossary entry

French term or phrase:

triple buse

English translation:

triple dork

Added to glossary by Sandra C. (X)
Apr 24, 2005 20:53
21 yrs ago
3 viewers *
French term

triple buse

another one of those fights between the two kids...
I know 'buse' is 'dolt', but 'triple buse'???
I don't think 'you're such a dolt' is strong enough. 'Stupid idiot'? Any ideas?
Merci!!!

Discussion

Non-ProZ.com Apr 26, 2005:
thank you to everyone for their input! I did like bonehead, too...
Non-ProZ.com Apr 25, 2005:
so, get this! I'm further in the book, and they're now playing on a Sony PS2! Definitely contemporary... no older than 3-4 years. I just think the author is an older person and not all up to date with the latest slang... ;-)
sarahl (X) Apr 24, 2005:
les deux mon capitaine ! it's not as strong as swear words, and I never heard anyone younger than my parents use it.
Non-ProZ.com Apr 24, 2005:
is it truly dated, or is it merely a way to avoid using swear words?
sarahl (X) Apr 24, 2005:
v�n�re is already dated, actually, though not as much as triple buse.
Non-ProZ.com Apr 24, 2005:
Unfortunately, I don't have a time frame :-(
but if 'gouffa light' is any indication, or 'sois pas ven�re', I would guess it's pretty contemporary. HTH!
Charlie Bavington Apr 24, 2005:
Given Sarah's comment (and I was wondering anyway) - when (roughly) is this story set? Because slang of course changes dramatically over time....
Florence B Apr 24, 2005:
It's not very strong - and rather old fashioned ;-)
Non-ProZ.com Apr 24, 2005:
how about 'you, moron!'?

Proposed translations

+3
4 hrs
Selected

triple dork

Eg
"Ouch..
He's a :dork: :dork: :dork: TRIPLE DORK"

Oddly, commoner than the more poetically alliterative "double dork", which seems to be confined to Frank Zappa's lyrics.

It seems that despite its etymology dork is applciable to the fair sex as well.

Peer comment(s):

agree Can Altinbay : I like this one more than I do the others, which aren't bad, either.
22 mins
Thanks
agree French Foodie : Dork is hilarious!
9 hrs
thanks for that
agree Andrew Bruch : this gets my vote too... dork w/is way common to varying degrees over the last 15 yrs.
20 hrs
yes, it seems to be an evergreen
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "new to me, but it does sound great! Thank you Peter!"
+1
11 mins

an idiot squared

How about "you're an idiot squared"? (i.e. raised to the 2nd power, mathematically speaking :) )

You have no idea what the bible means. You are an idiot squared. ... What about
short people? Unregistered. You are an idiot squared. ...
forums.politicsla.com/archive/index.php/t-3251
Peer comment(s):

agree Charlie Bavington : in keeping with the mathematical theme :-)
13 mins
:)
Something went wrong...
+1
9 mins

total fathead

foaming at the mouth
nutty as a fruitcake
you want help
you've lost your marbles
you've got a screw loose
not all there

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Note added at 16 mins (2005-04-24 21:10:26 GMT)
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you\'re as thick as two bricks (one of my favourites!)
Peer comment(s):

agree Charlie Bavington : I love fathead, especially if it's set some time ago...
14 mins
thanks Charlie :-)
Something went wrong...
-1
7 mins

bonehead

moron works too. yes I heard triple buse before but it's really dated.

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Note added at 11 mins (2005-04-24 21:05:17 GMT)
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one sandwich short of a picnic, they would say in the UK.

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Note added at 41 mins (2005-04-24 21:35:34 GMT)
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dumb as a bag of hammers, if you want a US phrase.
Peer comment(s):

disagree English_Wolf : Dumb as a bag of hammers is not far from the meaning.
2607 days
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2607 days

Origin, history

A buse is a bird of prey. The derogation connotation on this bird is really old.

It's origin comes from the bird of prey trainers (middle ages) that considered the buse as stupid because it could not be trained unlike the falcon that was revered as a 'royal/noble bird'. The falcon is still considered noble in the middle east and is usually present during official or important gathering that involves important sheiks or royalty.

'Triple buse' means you are past being an idiot (or any synonym you may like to use).

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Note added at 2607 days (2012-06-14 04:50:32 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

So bonehead is the closest translation.
Something went wrong...
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