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Mucho ruido y pocas nueces

 

An idiom is an expression whose meaning is not readily apparent based on the individual words in the expression. This forum is dedicated to discussing idioms and other sayings.


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  #1  
Old September 17, 2008, 06:31 AM
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Mucho ruido y pocas nueces

Hola a todos (Hello everybody) - (I will try writing a little in Spanish - forgive me for my mistakes !)

Estoy leyendo un maravilloso libro - est nombre es 'Los Fantasmas de España' La frase 'mucho ruido y pocas nueces' a lot of noise but few walnuts - es la traducción in Inglais. - ¿Este Correcto?
What does this mean?

¡Lo siento no hablo mucho Español pero cada dia me hablo una poco y poco !

It is really hard as although I speak a little Spanish each day I just seem to be speaking 'pigeon Spanish' - no es bueno.

thank you Ruby

Last edited by Rusty; October 13, 2008 at 08:46 PM.
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  #2  
Old September 17, 2008, 06:48 AM
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Look here.
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Old September 17, 2008, 06:51 AM
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I think it means lots of fanfare with few results, lots of words but little action to back them up, lots or promise few rewards etc.

Is the book you're reading about politics?
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Old September 17, 2008, 06:58 AM
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Hi Poli

It's a wonderful book about modern history of Spain, from the Moors and Christians, The Franco regime, ETA,Bars and clubs, Flemenco,bull fighting - just superb. Spanish tradition and oh so much more (forgive me I do get excited when talking about a book I really like). The author, well for me, really seems to be able to put both sides of the coin across. So I guess lots of promise and few reward would fit.

many thanks Ruby
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Old September 17, 2008, 08:42 AM
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Spain's role in history and its still very strong cultural sway interests me too. I think I'll have a look at this book.
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Old September 17, 2008, 10:20 AM
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Ruby, could you quote the entire sentence you found that phrase in?
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Old September 18, 2008, 12:58 AM
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As you can see in Rusty's link, "mucho ruido y pocas nueces" means "Much ado about nothing" and comes from the title of a Shakespeare's play. Means "a lot of ruckus and a meager outcome" . It's very common in Spain, where we talk and quarrel about things that are not really that important or doesn't affect us that more.
For example, in the USA I see man gives a lot of importance about Creacionism or Evolution in the school. It's important, but I think perhaps it's better to give both and resolve first other problems schools have (pregnancy, drougs, lower education level, going to school,...)
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PD A computer example is "vaporware".
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Old September 18, 2008, 05:40 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sosia View Post
As you can see in Rusty's link, "mucho ruido y pocas nueces" means "Much ado about nothing" and comes from the title of a Shakespeare's play. Means "a lot of ruckus and a meager outcome" . It's very common in Spain, where we talk and quarrel about things that are not really that important or don't affect us that much.
For example, in the USA I see people spend a lot of time talking about Creacionism vs Evolution in the school. It's important, but I think perhaps it's better to give both, but first resolve other problems schools have (pregnancy, drugs, lower education level, truency,...)
Saludos
PD A computer example is "vaporware".
Estoy de acuerdo especialmente en los años de las elecciones presidenciales. Pero si tienen que enseñar creacionismo el las escuelas
públicas, ¿van a tener que enseñar el nacimiento del mundo segun las creéncias voodoo, y la cigüeña tambien?
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Old September 18, 2008, 06:59 AM
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hola Buenos tardes

The papragraph itself is explaining that 'Spains position as a world superpower in tourism is not just down to sun, sand and sangria. Spanish noise is fun, but it is also a distraction. 'Mucho ruido y pocas nueces' is what Spaniards say when something is all show and no substance.

This did not make sense to me - - a lot of noise but few walnuts - Its the walnuts that confuse me. (that is the translation in the book) - but i gues the more i study the more i learn. Some English idioms and proverbs are crazy !!
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Old September 19, 2008, 01:44 AM
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Hi Ruby.
it's not so complicate.
When you "crack" a walnut (Wich verb is for broking walnuts?) you make noise and you obtains a walnut "heart".
Suppose your friend is "craking" walnuts. You hear noises, and noises and after lot of noises he comes with only 20 grams walnut "heart" for you. What do you say?
"mucho ruido y pocas nueces"

Saludos

PD Thank Poli fot the corrections.
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Last edited by sosia; September 19, 2008 at 01:48 AM.
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