Newsgroup: it.cultura.linguistica.inglese
Titolo: Raccolta rifiuti differienzata

Un giovane virgulto stamattina mi ha chiesto durante la terza prova
dell'esame di stato l'Inglese
per "Raccolta differenziata di rifiuti.
La richiesta soprattutto quel "differenziata " mi ha lasciato abbastanza
"gobsmacked ".
Ho azzardato un improbabile "Differentiated garbage collection" ma mentivo
sapendo di mentire.
Qualcuno mi chiarisce questo atroce dubbio?
Con osservanza
Yours
Sal

 sapendo di mentire.
Dear Salvatore,
From my two years of living in New York (and the concept being a new one to
me at the time), the term that was used as the locals patiently tried to
explain it to me and I with increasing confusion attempted to remember
paper, plastic and tin cans, glass etc etc . was simply 'recycling'.  Each
time I prepared to throw out the 'trash', I was told to remember I had to
recycle.  On one rather wet and unfortunate day, I was even apprehended by
the ...'recycling police'? and fined twenty dollars because I had omitted to
'recycle my trash'.
The fine applied not only to me, but also the landlord of the building who
was, needless to say, not amused .
Thank God for rent control, for I felt certain without it, I would have been
asked to vacate the premises. (Yes, he was _that_ angry).
I await confirmation from our American friends as to whether this is still
the correct term.
--
I remain, as always,
Bambi
dtb

 'recycle my trash'.
Dear Bambi,
I think "recycling" is the goal of differentiating the collection of
garbage:
tincans with tincans, glass with glass (better if "white" glass is separated
from "coloured" glass), plastic with plastic, and so on.
--
Er Roscio.



I'd call the separated trash items: "recyclables".  I'm aware there is an
adjective, "recyclable". 
Example: Please leave your recyclables at the curb for a Wednesday morning
pickup.
I just called a few New Yorkers and (without any prompting) they used this word
first.
However, none of them had ever heard of the word, "gobsmacked". 
I also think Bambi and Roscio are both right.  The word, "recycling", may be
used as a goal, as well as the basic separated material for this process.
Nonetheless, I believe "recyclables" is still more popularly used here in N.Y.
than "recycling".
???
stefstef

 However, none of them had ever heard of the word, "gobsmacked".
Dear stefstef,
I am not at all surprised to find your New York friends unfamiliar with the
term 'gobsmacked'.
'Gob' is British slang for mouth (cfr. that immortal song [pardon my French]
'Shut your gob, you aggravating bitch' a stellar example of British finesse,
if ever there was one).
To be gobsmacked means to be left speechless, floored, etc.
E.g.: I was totally gobsmacked by the crate of Moet et Chandon which you had
delivered to my house.


 garbage:
Dear Roscio,
Indeed yes, hence my added surprise and confusion.
However, I think stefstef might have cleared it up with recyclables. My
thanks to him(?).
--
I remain, as always, ecc., ecc.,
Bambi
dtb

Since I have been appointed Slang Master I try to earn my keep in the
Realm.
 Yours
Sal

Grazie Bambi per la traduzione. Devo ammetere che la parola, "gobsmacked" mi
sembra un po'...mmmn...lurido. Posso immaginare un cittadino new yorkese
sveltamente guardando giu' (come si controlla la cerniera) quando e se lui
sente "gobsmacked" per la prima volta. Nel nome di scienza, questo pommeriggio,
faro' una passeggiata armato con quella parola e, dopo usandola, osservero' le
differenti reazioni...
Yours blown away and freaked-out,
stefstef 
 

 stefstef
Dear stefstef,
In the name of science, the undersigned - and I am sure others of The Realm,
await with bated breath the results of your experiment.
Can it also be presumed that, should you not be heard from again within the
next 48 hours, something went slightly awry with your observations?
Hoping to have word soonest,



Dear Salvatore,
Whilst affairs at Court have kept us somewhat occupied (that fleet of  buses
needs constant maintenance), allow us to state for the record that in the
short time you have held office as Slang Master of The Realm, you  have done
a simply stellar job. We are most pleased.
--
I remain, as always,
Bambi
dtb

 a simply stellar job. We are most pleased.
<How kind of you !
  I'm blushing all over my chevy chase !
       Sal