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cantine

English translation: local pub/corner diner

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
French term or phrase:cantine
English translation:local pub/corner diner
Entered by: Susan Welsh

11:32 Apr 27, 2012
French to English translations [Non-PRO]
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
French term or phrase: cantine
Les candidats du peuple fréquentent peu les cantines du peuple.

In bilingual dictionaries I find "canteen" and "cafeteria," but neither of these works here in English, where the primary meanings of "canteen" are 1) a place where soldiers can buy food and drink, and 2) a container used by soldiers to carry water. "Cafeteria" sounds odd, because most people don't go to cafeterias -- only those who study or work in institutions that have one. My Petit Larousse (old vintage) just says it's a place where people in a "collectivity" can get food and beverages. (The etymology is "cave" and "wine cellar," which is interesting!)

Is there some kind of idiom involved here, or a modern-day usage that escapes me?
Susan Welsh
United States
Local time: 23:48
local pub/corner diner
Explanation:
http://www.tripadvisor.fr/ShowUserReviews-g227101-d1911663-r...

it is an eating place you go to frequently implying good value for money, informal relaxed family atmosphere

choice depends on target English/readership
Selected response from:

Laurette Tassin
France
Local time: 05:48
Grading comment
Actually, you were all helpful ... but I have to choose one. I really like Nikki's alliterative idea, and Cyril's explanation clarified the meaning of the word for me. I'm choosing this one because it works well, the explanation is good, and it came in first. Thanks, everybody!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +2local pub/corner diner
Laurette Tassin
4 +1[average Joe's] lunch places
Cyril B.
4 +1greasy spoon
melanya
3 +2place
Nikki Scott-Despaigne


Discussion entries: 4





  

Answers


9 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +2
local pub/corner diner


Explanation:
http://www.tripadvisor.fr/ShowUserReviews-g227101-d1911663-r...

it is an eating place you go to frequently implying good value for money, informal relaxed family atmosphere

choice depends on target English/readership

Laurette Tassin
France
Local time: 05:48
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in FrenchFrench
PRO pts in category: 18
Grading comment
Actually, you were all helpful ... but I have to choose one. I really like Nikki's alliterative idea, and Cyril's explanation clarified the meaning of the word for me. I'm choosing this one because it works well, the explanation is good, and it came in first. Thanks, everybody!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Nikki Scott-Despaigne
26 mins
  -> thank you Nikki
agree  Verginia Ophof: like (small/local) diner
8 hrs
  -> thank you Verginia
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12 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
[average Joe's] lunch places


Explanation:
Yes, it's a bit idiomatic: 'cantine' here means the places where normal working people go for their lunch break every day... It refers to a wide range of places so I don't think it can be translated with a specific kind of restaurant.

Cyril B.
France
Native speaker of: French
PRO pts in category: 10

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Nikki Scott-Despaigne: Agreed. Anything colloquial, familiar will do. It generally means the place you go regularly, may be a restaurant, diner, sandwich bar. Regularity and familiaryt turn it into your 'cantine'.
22 mins
  -> Thank you Nikki
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58 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
greasy spoon


Explanation:
Greasy spoon is a colloquial or slang term originating in the United States to mean a small, especially cheap, archetypal working class restaurant or diner.[1][2] The term is now used in many English speaking countries to mean the same thing.




    Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greasy_spoon
melanya
Local time: 04:48
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Letredenoblesse
2 hrs
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +2
place


Explanation:
It would be nice in the translated version to find something with "p" as the original has "can.. du peule" and "can...du peuple".

Thus people's candidates seldom eat in the peoples p???"

- people's candidates seldom eat in peoples places


Nikki Scott-Despaigne
Local time: 05:48
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 119

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Cyril B.: Works good
2 hrs
agree  Yolanda Broad: Nice alliteration.
2 hrs
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