Enquistado

[aleCcowaN]

We use "enquistado" (having formed a "quiste" -cyst- inside the flesh) in a figurative sense to depict those people who have climbed to some position and are fighting to keep it although they have no longer merit or right to it: "se han enquistado y parece que nadie puede echarlos".

How did you say it in English?

[chileno]

Brown nosers.

[Rusty]

A 'brown-noser' is a chupamedias (lamebotas, lameculo).

I'm still trying to think of a way to say 'enquistado' in English.

[chileno]

Originally Posted by Rusty

A 'brown-noser' is a chupamedias (lamebotas, lameculo).

I'm still trying to think of a way to say 'enquistado' in English.

Correct.

Enquistado or "espinita" is the same...

[caliber1]

Power monger

[aleCcowaN]

I appreciate your effort. I'm thinking it might be something along with the terms leeches or ticks though "(se ha) enquistado (en el poder/en tal o cual posición)" doesn't emphasize the parasitic qualities of the subjects but the layers and layers that they managed to get surrounding and protecting them and the unavoidable damage that should be inflicted to healthy (social) tissues in order to get rid of them.

[Glen]

Maybe, to use a nautical term, "barnacles?"
Also, I've heard it said of certain public servants that "you couldn't pry them loose with a crowbar" once they get themselves ensconced in the retirement system.

[aleCcowaN]

Thanks, Glen. That was very useful. It provides a lot of descriptions that are suitable to depict such people. We say "están pegados con loctite" and call people "una lapa" (a limpet) when the follow us everywhere.

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

To become embedded/implanted
To have nested in a place

[pjt33]

Oxford gives "to become deeply entrenched"; I was thinking along similar lines with "to dig in deep". But none of those seem to have quite the precision of enquistado; perhaps the solution is to take a slightly different perspective and describe the result: "He's made himself unfireable".

[poli]

It's hard to believe that there is no equivalent to the figurative enquistado. The closest thing I can think of is tenured, but there is something honorable about being tenured. A creative speaker may say something like: He's managed to create a tenure for himself doing very little but managing to insure himself against being fired.

The best literal translation for enquistado that I can think of is encapsulated.

[chileno]

Originally Posted by poli

It's hard to believe that there is no equivalent to the figurative enquistado. The closest thing I can think of is tenured, but there is something honorable about being tenured. A creative speaker may say something like: He's managed to create a tenure for himself doing very little but managing to insure himself against being fired.

The best literal translation for enquistado that I can think of is encapsulated.

And that would be the correct meaning.

[Rusty]

I'm thinking now that 'grown roots' might be a good translation.
"We only keep him around because he's (been here so long he's) grown roots."

[aleCcowaN]

People, you're great!!! I have -and everybody who find this in the future- a lot of options and shades for slightly different situations. Thank you a lot.

I agree enquistado is pretty precise and suggest something between a human parasite and an anthropomorphic thistle that will be of no danger as long as you let it there, undisturbed. Unfair, uncomfortable, but not a dangerous situation.

[CobaltStymie]

Some terms...(none of which match precisely)

"Hanger-onn"

Describes someone who's a "yes-man", or a shallow flaterer that has to tag along with the people of substance. They have to be near power, but are just insignificant little twits.

"Tool"
Refers to the kind of person that is there to be used an abused, but has no real merit themselves. Note, that this can apply to people in power or people without power.

"Octopus"
Someone who has their hands in everything. Note, that this can denote someone with a control complex, or someone who is a pervert(I.e. can't stop from groping women. )

And finally(),
"Boss"
Management in america is not respected as much by grunt-workers. And most of the time, the simple term "boss" carries with it all the negative connotations of an asshole who didn't earn his position.

Please note, however, that "leech" or "parasite" would never be used. In america, a "leech" is someone who is on welfare. (At least among the republicans.)