compagnon d'épaule

13:52 Sep 25, 2013 

My point exactly! Since Newton is now believed (by some) to have made this remark sarcastically, only the rest of article will make the writer's intentions clear. On balance of probability, it is more likely to be the more conventional explanation.

13:26 Sep 25, 2013 

thanks for that! I was trying to remember that expression in English that was something to do with a shoulder and I couldn't! (the only thing I could think of was "a chip"). Isn't the proverbial "monkey" supposed to hold you back as opposed to assist/support you though?

13:14 Sep 25, 2013 

allegedly was referring to Galileo as one of the giants on whose shoulders he had sat/stood in order to see further. However, his arch and mutually detested rival, Robert Hooke, was slightly hunchbacked and very short, and it is now believed that this famous statement was a dig at Hooke. It is just possible that this contemporary writer may also be referring sarcastically to having a monkey on his shoulder, but the rest of the article should make it clear whether he is being sarcastic or complimentary!

12:29 Sep 25, 2013 

Same request as Catharine's ...

09:38 Sep 25, 2013 

et imaginer qu'il se voit assis avec son compagnon sur les épaules de ceux qui ont fait de la recherche avant eux.
I. Newton: « Si j'ai vu plus loin, c'est en montant sur les épaules de géants ».
"dimension cumulative du savoir. Les penseurs antiques ne sont pas indépassables (puisque l'on peut se jucher sur leurs épaules), mais c'est grâce à eux que le savoir contemporain progresse."

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Des_nains_sur_des_épaules_de_gé...
http://scholar.google.com/intl/en/scholar/about.html
http://www.digitaleblonde.com/article-je-viens-de-decouvrir-...

07:51 Sep 25, 2013 

Could you post the whole sentence so we can get an idea of the tone of the article?
A few ideas spring to mind, but I don't know if the register would be right.