7

Some time ago I have a read a very famous book of Allen I. Holub "Enough rope to shoot yourself in the foot" (this book on openlibrary.org). I have read it in Russian and the book was titled with exact, i.e. word-by-word translation of the original English title. And, as you can imagine, it was totally nonsensical. Then I became interested in the meaning of the original title.

I found out that this is a nice play of two idioms:

give somebody enough rope (to hang themselves) meaning to allow someone to do what they want to, knowing that they will probably fail or get into trouble

to shoot yourself in the foot meaning you do something that damages your ambition, career, etc.

I started to think about better translation, but the question is: can you think of a short phrase in English without idioms to keep the same meaning? It would be also interesting if there are proverbs or set expressions with the same idea.

Improve this question
13
  • 1
    A set expression would be an idiom, which you forbad.
    – tchrist ♦
    Feb 27, 2013 at 22:27
  • 5
    Idioms are hard enough to translate as it is, let alone trying to translate ones that are also mixed metaphors.
    – Robusto
    Feb 27, 2013 at 22:27
  • 2
    What @Mynamite said. In the end, that title doesn't really "mean" much at all - it's just a quirky catchy title. A book that offered to teach you enough to do things wrong, but not enough to do them right probably wouldn't sell.
    – FumbleFingers
    Feb 28, 2013 at 4:31
  • 1
    If your goal is to translate the phrase in a way that gives nice images and metaphors then I would look around for existing Russian expressions with similar meaning (or anything sarcastic and loosely related) and try to combine some or play variants on it, for example, by substituting some words from the computer industry. I can't provide a great example, since I don't speak Russian, but one thing that also works in English: "Optimize your Russian Roulette with six bullets." (Meaning that all six holds are filled, you will surely die.) This title would be especially funny if the book had six m
    – Robert Jack Will
    Jul 20, 2013 at 14:02
  • 2
    Your definition of 'give somebody enough rope' is not quite right. It means to not intervene when someone is doing something wrong, so as to let them really screw up before you challenge them. That way, you'll be on solid ground when you call them to account.
    – Carl Smith
    Jul 20, 2013 at 14:19

4 Answers 4

Reset to default
8

Holub employs a mixed metaphor (as Robusto suggested) and the descriptions of the book allude to at least one other expression, which is "just enough to be dangerous" (as in "I/You/They know just enough to be dangerous.").

As with most metaphors, they are designed to evoke a mental image of equivalence. In this case, Holub appears to be addressing some particular aspects of computer programming where he believes that programmers are knowledgeable enough (enough rope) to be dangerous (shoot foot) and therefore they are "a danger" to the programming world.

Using a mixed metaphor is often done for humorous effect, which appears to be Holub's intent here. As this review states "Holub manages to make a serious subject refreshingly readable by sprinkling the text with humor and insight."

If a mixed metaphor like this were to have a commonly used substitute, the substitue would probably lose the full effect of the metaphor. But you might say simply use "Programmers know just enough to be dangerous" (which isn't idiomatic, but requires context), which I already mentioned. Stated alone, it doesn't evoke the same image as a hanging and an unintended discharge of a weapon.

Improve this answer
2

Translation suggested is: "sufficent freedom of action to fail" or "sufficent independence to fail."

Improve this answer
2
  • Or maybe "too much freedom to get into trouble"?
    – pmod
    Feb 28, 2013 at 20:58
  • 2
    pmod has a good idea, but I think "enough freedom to get into trouble" better expresses the original quotation.
    – Wayne Johnston
    Mar 2, 2013 at 2:46
2

One way you could approach translating this is the implication that the risks are not understood by the amateur.

In other words, there is a possibility to fail in some spectacular fashion entirely unrelated to the assumed dangers, to the amateur that misunderstands the fundamental nature of the tool.

Something along the lines of "just enough information to be dangerous" or "they don't know how much they don't know".

Perhaps, search for an equivalent set of metaphors in Russian that could be co-opted in a similar way.

Improve this answer
2
  • Exactly! I think that's an essential part of the joke, which is so much more than just a nonsensical combination of two metaphors.
    – smheidrich
    Jun 2, 2018 at 15:56
  • I added a couple of suggestions! "just enough information to be dangerous" is probably the most straightforward
    – Hannele
    Jun 4, 2018 at 16:45
1

It’s a great book, but you should know that Holub has transitioned away from C++, first to Java, and I think now past that into scripting. Anyway, this book (as you know) is about advanced techniques in C and C++. The book is intended for experienced programmers. So the title is also a warning that newbies need not apply.

I can't imagine how this play on two metaphors translates into any language that doesn't have those two metaphors already.

Improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.