Ask a Question

(Create a thread)
Go Back   Spanish language learning forums > Spanish & English Languages > Vocabulary > Idioms & Sayings


How's tricks?

 

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.


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old June 05, 2010, 06:48 PM
JPablo's Avatar
JPablo JPablo is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Southern California
Posts: 5,579
Native Language: Spanish (Castilian, peninsular)
JPablo is on a distinguished road
Question How's tricks?

how’s tricks? = ¿qué onda?, ¿qué tal?, ¿qué pasa?, ¿qué tal?
Any other Spanish version of this idiomatic expression?
The origin of the English?
Reply With Quote
   
Get rid of these ads by registering for a free Tomísimo account.
  #2  
Old June 06, 2010, 12:42 AM
pjt33's Avatar
pjt33 pjt33 is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Valencia, España
Posts: 2,600
Native Language: Inglés (en-gb)
pjt33 is on a distinguished road
¿Cómo vamos?
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old June 06, 2010, 12:53 AM
JPablo's Avatar
JPablo JPablo is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Southern California
Posts: 5,579
Native Language: Spanish (Castilian, peninsular)
JPablo is on a distinguished road
Gracias, ¡vamos bien!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old June 06, 2010, 06:32 AM
hermit hermit is offline
Emerald
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: scotsburn, nova scotia
Posts: 617
Native Language: english
hermit is on a distinguished road
Hi JPablo - A "trick" in this sense is a sly means or method used to
decieve people, possibly to cheat them out of some money.

The "shell game" is an example of a minor "scam" of this sort. In Spanish, "trampa", or "truco".

A "trick" can also refer to a successful "score" by a "hooker". Also, any other practice (to whatever extent illegal) employed by someone to
make a living.

The word has other related meanings, as well, but the above come closest to "tricks" as in "How's tricks?" (Grammatically, it should be
"How're tricks?, but we're dealing with "street talk", here.)
__________________
"Be brief, for no discourse can please when too long."
miguel de cervantes saavedra

Last edited by hermit; June 06, 2010 at 06:40 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old June 06, 2010, 09:38 AM
pjt33's Avatar
pjt33 pjt33 is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Valencia, España
Posts: 2,600
Native Language: Inglés (en-gb)
pjt33 is on a distinguished road
Come on. That might be the etymology but surely the phrase has lost those connotations now?
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old June 06, 2010, 10:17 AM
hermit hermit is offline
Emerald
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: scotsburn, nova scotia
Posts: 617
Native Language: english
hermit is on a distinguished road
Absolutely, pjt33 - People use the phrase quite off-handedly nowadays,
not thinking of its origins even if they're aware of them. Quite innocent,
really...
__________________
"Be brief, for no discourse can please when too long."
miguel de cervantes saavedra
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old June 06, 2010, 10:40 AM
Perikles's Avatar
Perikles Perikles is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Tenerife
Posts: 4,814
Native Language: Inglés
Perikles is on a distinguished road
Well, the OP did ask for the etymology, even if defunct. I still find trick an odd word to use for the 4 cards in a round in whist or bridge.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old June 06, 2010, 10:49 AM
hermit hermit is offline
Emerald
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: scotsburn, nova scotia
Posts: 617
Native Language: english
hermit is on a distinguished road
Quite right, a bit odd - still, taking a trick in cards often requires
shrewd play...
__________________
"Be brief, for no discourse can please when too long."
miguel de cervantes saavedra
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old June 06, 2010, 11:05 AM
pjt33's Avatar
pjt33 pjt33 is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Valencia, España
Posts: 2,600
Native Language: Inglés (en-gb)
pjt33 is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by Perikles View Post
Well, the OP did ask for the etymology, even if defunct.
Oops, I missed that. Hermit, I owe you an apology.

As for a trick in bridge: that's far from the strangest bridge term. Who else knows what a peter is, or has played in a TD's Revenge game which gave bonus points for ousting the badger?
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old June 06, 2010, 11:13 AM
Perikles's Avatar
Perikles Perikles is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Tenerife
Posts: 4,814
Native Language: Inglés
Perikles is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by pjt33 View Post
As for a trick in bridge: that's far from the strangest bridge term. Who else knows what a peter is
I do, but would like to know the etymology because it seems obscure. And yes, there are weird bridge terms such as an unassuming cue bid or a one no trump consultative redouble.
Reply With Quote
Reply

 

Link to this thread
URL: 
HTML Link: 
BB Code: 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Site Rules


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 07:49 AM.

Forum powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

X