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Ser papel mojado

 

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 October 14, 2009, 06:13 PM
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Ser papel mojado

Ser papel mojado = no tiene efecto, no se aplica. Dicése de una ley or orden que no se aplica.
English?
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  #2  
Old October 14, 2009, 10:45 PM
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a paper tiger
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Old October 15, 2009, 06:37 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ROBINDESBOIS View Post
Ser papel mojado = no tiene efecto, no se aplica. Dicése de una ley or orden que no se aplica.
English?
papel mojado = waste paper.

el contrato es papel mojado - the contract isn't worth the paper it is written on.
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Old October 15, 2009, 07:37 AM
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Originally Posted by Perikles View Post
papel mojado = waste paper.

el contrato es papel mojado - the contract isn't worth the paper it is written on.
Yes, that seems right. Then, is there an equivalent in Spanish to paper
tiger? (someone who is all words but no action)
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Old October 15, 2009, 10:16 AM
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@Poli: "Perro que ladra, no muerde"
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Old October 15, 2009, 10:23 AM
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Quote:
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@Poli: "Perro que ladra, no muerde"
In English, somebody who is a paper tiger is somebody who is "all mouth and trousers".
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Old October 15, 2009, 10:47 AM
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I'd say that's the same idea of "perro que ladra no muerde". It's all barks and no action.

There is also a similar saying in the form of warning "cae más pronto un hablador que un cojo" (it's easier to catch someone who talks rubbish than watch a crippled person stumble and fall).
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Old October 15, 2009, 10:59 AM
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Originally Posted by AngelicaDeAlquezar View Post
I'd say that's the same idea of "perro que ladra no muerde". It's all barks and no action.

There is also a similar saying in the form of warning "cae más pronto un hablador que un cojo" (it's easier to catch someone who talks rubbish than watch a crippled person stumble and fall).
Gracias.
Lástima que "cae más pronto un hablador que un cojo" no siempre sea la verdad.
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Old October 16, 2009, 01:27 AM
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El Ayuntamiento califica de «papel mojado» el acuerdo para la Cañada
How can we tranlate this then?

The agreement made on the CAÑADA is waste paper for the city hall?
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Old October 16, 2009, 04:44 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ROBINDESBOIS View Post
El Ayuntamiento califica de «papel mojado» el acuerdo para la Cañada
How can we tranlate this then?

The agreement made on the CAÑADA is waste paper for the city hall?
The city hall says the agreement about the Cañada is not worth the paper it is written on.
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