Holier than thou

[powerchisper]

Hi friends :

Up on my soapbox,a leader
Out to change the world
Down in my pulpit as the holier
Than-thou-could-be-messenger of god

I've heard this on a couple songs. I can translate as "Más sagrado que Vos " but it doesn't make a lot of sense in Spanish.

Does it have a special meaning ?

Thanks in advance.

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by powerchisper

Than-thou-could-be-messenger of god

Does it have a special meaning ?
.

Yes it does. The use of the 2nd person sing.(thee, thou ...) which has died out in most parts of the UK (except for Yorkshire) is the language of the King James bible. So it is a very specific reference to religious bigotry of those who preach and make the judgement that they are superior to those to whom they are preaching.

[poli]

In other words: santurrón

[chileno]

I translate it as "más papista que el papa"

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by chileno

I translate it as "más papista que el papa"

To be honest, it's not quite the same. Your expression means very Catholic. Without getting into religious issues, I find that "holier-than-thou" is far more often displayed by Protestant churches and missionaries. I'd better shut up here.

[chileno]

Originally Posted by Perikles

To be honest, it's not quite the same. Your expression means very Catholic. Without getting into religious issues, I find that "holier-than-thou" is far more often displayed by Protestant churches and missionaries. I'd better shut up here.

Are you English, by any chance?


My first days in the US were very entertaining. I would spend some time watching some shows on TV, called "Dave at large" besides Benny Hill's and Paul Hogan's shows.

[aleCcowaN]

Creerse el principio de la Creación (narcissistic high-strung self-righteousness)
dechado de perfección (superior morality -ironic-)
santurrón (hypocritical self-righteous)

En mi barrio lo llamarían "un ca**velas que tiene el c*** con rosca".

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by chileno

Are you English, by any chance?

Whatever gives you that idea?