Det smakar kofta.

English translation: It tastes odd.

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Swedish term or phrase:Det smakar kofta.
English translation:It tastes odd.
Entered by: Christian Schoenberg

19:51 May 10, 2005
Swedish to English translations [PRO]
Government / Politics
Swedish term or phrase: Det smakar kofta.
The expression appears in the following passage:

Den kan stå som symbol för att Sverige är medlem, men ändå står utanför. Mentalt. EU smakar kofta.


Does this simply mean that it leaves a bad taste in one's mouth (also an expression in English)?

Thank you for your help.
Matthew Roy, Ph.D.
Local time: 22:32
It tastes odd.
Explanation:
I guess "Det smakar kofta" really refers to the "woolen" taste of lamb. Metaphorically, I would suggest:

It tastes odd.
It doesn't taste right.
It is hard to swallow.

Less metaphorically, I think it is important to leave a little ambiguity in there - it tastes woolen but people still eat it.

Just suggestions - I'm sure someone can come up with something snappier.

Best wishes and good luck!

Christian
Selected response from:

Christian Schoenberg
United States
Local time: 01:32
Grading comment
Graded automatically based on peer agreement.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +4It tastes odd.
Christian Schoenberg
4It is unpalatable:
Sven Petersson


  

Answers


1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +4
It tastes odd.


Explanation:
I guess "Det smakar kofta" really refers to the "woolen" taste of lamb. Metaphorically, I would suggest:

It tastes odd.
It doesn't taste right.
It is hard to swallow.

Less metaphorically, I think it is important to leave a little ambiguity in there - it tastes woolen but people still eat it.

Just suggestions - I'm sure someone can come up with something snappier.

Best wishes and good luck!

Christian

Christian Schoenberg
United States
Local time: 01:32
Native speaker of: Native in DanishDanish, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 8
Grading comment
Graded automatically based on peer agreement.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Kathy Saranpa: I'd go with "it tastes strange"
57 mins
  -> Thanks, Kathy.

agree  Sara Hagelstam
1 hr
  -> Thanks.

agree  Suzanne Blangsted (X): and I will go with "EU hard to swallow", which is the term I am most familiar with
1 hr
  -> Thanks, Suzanne.

agree  Anette Herbert: It's hard to chew
8 hrs

neutral  asptech: it means "has a bland taste", i.e. people couldn't care less about it
9 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
It is unpalatable:


Explanation:
:o)

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr 31 mins (2005-05-10 21:23:31 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

It tastes like Spam.

Sven Petersson
Sweden
Local time: 06:32
Native speaker of: Native in SwedishSwedish, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 93

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Anette Herbert: You mean, it tastes like lamb ;-)
8 hrs
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