This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
  1. KudoZ™ Top
  2. German to English
  3. Slang

Tuntenappeal

English translation: queer veneer

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
German term or phrase:Tuntenappeal
English translation:queer veneer

20:51 Nov 18, 2010
    The asker opted for community grading. The question was closed on 2010-11-22 10:54:10 based on peer agreement (or, if there were too few peer comments, asker preference.)


German to English translations [PRO]
Slang / song lyrics
German term or phrase: Tuntenappeal
This is from a song called "Etwas Warmes" by Herbert Grönemeyer:
Versprüh' nicht so viel Tuntenappeal
sprich dich ruhig aus
ich möcht' dich gern kennenlernen
gehn wir zu dir oder zu mir nach Haus
My problem is that Tunte is normally negative and well rendered, for example, by "nancy boy". But in this context it is appealing.
Stephen Smith
Poland
Local time: 01:18
queer veneer
Explanation:
what's up with all that queer
veneer

this version follows the rhythm of the song
as Herbert sings it here:
http://www.musictory.com/music/Herbert Grönemeyer/Etwas Warm...

BTW, this song is from the early 80s and oozes cynicism - he is certainly not and never was homophobic.




Selected response from:

Johanna Timm, PhD
Canada
Local time: 16:18
Grading comment
Spot on. It's a case of neutralizing the enemy by adopting his vocabulary. Black people have done it with the n-word and German sex workers with "Hure".
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +6queer veneer
Johanna Timm, PhD
5 +1fag appeal
Lonnie Legg
2pansy/sissy allure/charm
Jonathan MacKerron
Summary of reference entries provided
A bit more context
philgoddard

Discussion entries: 7





  

Answers


17 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +1
fag appeal


Explanation:
...is what they'd say in the US.
I'm not sure what position (definitely no pun intended) Groenemeyer is taking here, or whether the tone is ironic, but I'd say the phrase is used straight-forwardly.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 20 mins (2010-11-18 21:11:49 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Or, if it's 3 syllables you need: "faggot appeal".

Lonnie Legg
Germany
Local time: 01:18
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in GermanGerman
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Lancashireman: Not in the UK, unfortunately, where a 'fag' is a cigarette. // I think he may have 'gone native' in his new country (USA). A common phenomenon amongst UK expat translators.
31 mins
  -> I don't see multiple meanings as a problem (see philgoddard).
neutral  Cilian O'Tuama: if you're not sure, then please lower your confidence level accordingly // sorry for barking
2 hrs
  -> Sorry, my mouse-hand slipped, actually--I rarely use 5 and meant to give this a 4 (since uncertainty about overall tone doesn't affect my choice here).
agree  philgoddard: This is perfectly OK, and everyone in the UK knows what a fag is. //I don't know how Andrew is such an expert on expat translators!
3 hrs
  -> Thanks, Phil.
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 2/5Answerer confidence 2/5
pansy/sissy allure/charm


Explanation:
four possible combinations

Jonathan MacKerron
Native speaker of: English
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +6
queer veneer


Explanation:
what's up with all that queer
veneer

this version follows the rhythm of the song
as Herbert sings it here:
http://www.musictory.com/music/Herbert Grönemeyer/Etwas Warm...

BTW, this song is from the early 80s and oozes cynicism - he is certainly not and never was homophobic.






Johanna Timm, PhD
Canada
Local time: 16:18
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman
PRO pts in category: 12
Grading comment
Spot on. It's a case of neutralizing the enemy by adopting his vocabulary. Black people have done it with the n-word and German sex workers with "Hure".

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Jenny Streitparth: Great. Love it. And, yes, he's definitely mocking the "earring".
7 mins
  -> :-)
agree  Lisa Miles
42 mins
  ->  thank you
agree  Helen Shiner: Great
44 mins
  -> thank you
agree  Sabine Akabayov, PhD
1 hr
  -> danke!
agree  British Diana: I can only say : "Geil"!!
8 hrs
  -> oh - danke :-)
agree  Jim Tucker (X): neat
17 hrs
  -> thank you
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)




Reference comments


11 mins
Reference: A bit more context

Reference information:
The word was coined specifically for the song.


    Reference: http://www.lipwalklyrics.com/lyrics/681406-herbertgrnemeyer-...
philgoddard
United States
Native speaker of: English
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:
ProZ.com term search
Search millions of term translations
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search