Newsgroup: it.cultura.linguistica.inglese
Titolo: being a wally...

Dear all,
is there anybody who knows whether any sort of Italian word for 'wally'
exists?
Although I understand what it means (being one!), I cannot think of an
appropriate translation.
Ta.
CC

appropriate translation.
...perche' sei un'imbranata :-)
-- 
Isa
Work like you don't need money,
Love like you've never been hurt,
And dance like no one's watching
http://web.tiscalinet.it/alfabeto_auschwitz/

...perche' sei un'imbranata :-)
Who? Me? figurati. LOL
Wouldn't it be 'clumsy' though?
CC

Il 23 Lug 2001, 09:53, 
Cristin...@insieme.net
 (Cristina Ciocca) ha
scritto: 

The Hazon Garzanti
translates it as "scemo; buono a nulla, inetto". Take your pick.
Isa's
"imbranata" sounds more innocent and -- if intended as a reference to
yourself -- you may want to adopt that one, though it may not render quite
exactly the meaning of the Cambridge dictionary's
(
http://dictionary.cambridge.org
) definition of "a silly or useless
person".
Webster, on the other hand, considers "wally" to be a
(Scottish) synonym for "fine, sturdy". Let's hear it from the Scots! Mary,
Queen of Scots, are you listening?
--
Xakero
--------------------------------
Inviato via 
http://usenet.iol.it
 

Wouldn't it be 'clumsy' though?
Well. We're entering the realm of interpretation and personal
preferences here. You used "wally" which is a noun, and I proposed a
noun as a possible equivalent in usage and affectionate shades, as in
<<You're such a wally!>>, <<Sei un tale imbranato!>>, said with a
smile.
<<Clumsy>> first of all is an adjective and to me, it has more
qualities that concern the lack of physical proficiency-- makes me
think of someone slightly unco-ordinate. I'd translate is as "goffo"
but again, interpretation and personal preferences? 
Cheers,


 translates it as "scemo; buono a nulla, inetto". Take your pick.
E pensare che il mio cane si chiamava Wally.
Ironia della sorte: era un volpino : )
Meno male per lui che è morto.
saluti,
Peltio
che azzarda una traduzione basata su wall, dunque individuo duro di
comprendonio, gnucco, ottuso.

 appropriate translation.
What does Wally refer to?  I was thinking the Beave's big brother.
Is it derived from wallaby?
Rick


Thank you (I think...)
CC

but again, interpretation and personal preferences? 
I see. Still I don't consider 'imbranato' as a proper translation for what
I have in mind, which keeps on not coming to terms with words, Italian
words.
In my 'dialect' I'd go for 'tattero' but that's not the point.
Thank you ever so much, Isa.
CC

I have in mind,...
Oh. I see. You don't know what "wally" means in English, then. Being a
wally. :-)))



Just what does it mean?  The only listing in my dictionary, says it is
probably of Welsh origin and that it means:  FINE, STURDY.  
-- 
Dale Erwin
http://home.earthlink.net/~erwintech

us.
Here I am, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at six
thirty in the morning.
It is but fair that I should give you also
Oxford’s definition of  a wally: Brit. slang. A foolish or inept person
[origin unknown, perhaps a shortened form of Walter]
(Source: Concise
Oxford Dictionary, ninth edition)
Yesterday, I was too inert to rise
from my chair and take the dictionary from the shelf, which is the only
reason I tend to favour Cambridge, though its online dictionary
unfortunately does not give the etymology of words.
See also
http://www.mindspring.com/~thewally/defwally.html
 for some cheering up.
You may also want to read the rather entertaining article, with some
political undertones, in The Guardian of 10.02.2001 on
http://www.guardian.co.uk/Tories/story/0,7369,436162,00.html
. As a wally,
you seem to be in good company.


wally. :-)))
Invidiosa! 
:-PPPPPPPPPPPP

probably of Welsh origin and that it means:  FINE, STURDY.  
(Slang) A stupid person
Pronounced to rhyme with 'folly'
Etymology uncertain
J

 "goffo" but again, interpretation and personal preferences?  
Would 'clot' do for turning clumsy into a noun? "You're such a clot."
"Clumsy clot" is so often linked as a description that maybe only
half of the expression needs to be used.
Cheers,
Loki