graue Eminenz

English translation: gray/grey eminence

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)

German term or phrase:	graue Eminenz
English translation:	gray/grey eminence
Entered by:	Dawn Montague

19:03 Feb 22, 2001

German to English translations [PRO]
Bus/Financial - Government / Politics

German term or phrase: graue Eminenz

"XXX war die graue Eminenz der Wirtschaft hinter Konrad Adenauer."

Dawn Montague KudoZ activity Questions: 1198 (none open) (12 without valid answers) (10 closed without grading) Answers: 128 United States
Local time: 13:35

Gray Eminence

Explanation:
This refers back to Cardinal Mazarin who was the Prime Minister under Louis XIV, of France. He was reputed to be the "power behind the throne". Eminence because he WAS a Cardinal.

Selected response from:

Rolf-Raul

Grading comment

Thanks for the help.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

éminence grise

IngeR.

gray eminence

Kristina M (X)

Gray Eminence

Rolf-Raul

Eminence Grise, the Grey Eminence

Martina Ley

XXX was the shadowy pillar of economy behind Konrad Adenauer.

Svetla

Eminence Grise oder Grey Eminence

Corinne Bono

Answers

15 mins

éminence grise

Explanation:
émi·nence grise
Pronunciation: A-mE-näns-grEz
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural éminences grises /same/
Etymology: French, literally, gray eminence, nickname of Père Joseph (François du Tremblay) died 1638 French monk and diplomat, confidant of Cardinal Richelieu who was known as Éminence Rouge red eminence; from the colors of their respective habits
Date: 1925
: a confidential agent; especially : one exercising unsuspected or unofficial power

Merriams-Webster Collegiate Dictionary

IngeR.

47 mins

gray eminence

Explanation:
is as good as éminence grise. Any good US-English dictionary should give you both.

Kristina

Kristina M (X)
Local time: 13:35
Native speaker of:

German,

English

2 hrs

Gray Eminence

Explanation:
This refers back to Cardinal Mazarin who was the Prime Minister under Louis XIV, of France. He was reputed to be the "power behind the throne". Eminence because he WAS a Cardinal.

Encyclopedia Britannica says his name was Joseph Le Clerc du Tremblay, 1577-1638

Rolf-Raul

Grading comment

Thanks for the help.

4 hrs

Eminence Grise, the Grey Eminence

Explanation:
Attention: spelling: grey (not gray)

Martina Ley
Local time: 19:35
Specializes in field
Native speaker of:

Czech
PRO pts in category: 4

6 hrs

XXX was the shadowy pillar of economy behind Konrad Adenauer.

Explanation:
XXX was the strong though mysterious person in the background of K. Adenaur, dictating the economic policies.

?
?

Svetla
Local time: 20:35

10 hrs

Eminence Grise oder Grey Eminence

Explanation:
Both terms are used. The French version in literary books and up-market newspapers and mags, the English version for the mere mortals. Refers back to Cardinal Mazarin and not to Cardinal Richelieu's "master" who was called the Black Emminence (with Richelieu being the Red one).
Means a behind-the-scene, sly but powerful figure

Corinne Bono
France
Local time: 19:35
Specializes in field
Native speaker of:

French,

English

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