Graveyard shift

[vita32]

Grave yard shift. As far as I know this refers to working hours, i.e. the 2nd shift (11p-7a). I am not clear as to why this shift got it's name except that this is a difficult shift to adjust to. Is there an equivalent term in Spanish?

[JPablo]

Wikipedia says,
A graveyard shift means a shift of work running through the early hours of the morning, especially one from midnight until 8 am.

I believe in Spain we just say "turno de noche" "turno nocturno" "guardia de noche"... (these are the common options that come to mind...)

[pjt33]

We have "night shift" in English too. "Graveyard shift" connotes loneliness and quietness to me - a night shift could be active and involve lots of interaction with people, but a graveyard shift is isolated and boring.

[aleCcowaN]

turno/horario de guardia
turno/horario tranquilo
turno/horario en el que nunca pasa nada

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

In Mexico: "tercer turno" (first being during the morning and second during the afternoon) or "turno de noche" ("nocturno" is cacophonous, but it's used as well).

In hospitals, police or other emergency services, they usually say "guardia (nocturna)".

[JPablo]

Well "turno nocturno" sounds more alliterative to me, than cacophonous... but I guess it's a matter of viewpoint...

(I think Góngora has some nice alliterative verse that goes, "infame turba de nocturnas aves..." But just to say that maybe the "urn" sound in Spanish evokes somehow the darkness of the night?)

[sosia]

agree with angélica
For a factory, "turno de noche"
For s more lonely place (watchers, security, medical..) "guardia nocturna"
Saludos

[vita32]

Grave yard (night) shift must have a localized meaning in U.S.A. for "grave" implies a shortened life span for those who consistently work this shift. When I was working this shift, I did not even feel like a human being most of the time.

[irmamar]

Yes, nobody should work at night. Night has been made to sleep (or our biorhythm prepare us to sleep at night).

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by irmamar

Yes, nobody should work at night. Night has been made to for sleep (or our biorhythm prepares us to sleep at night).

(Ignoring the philosophical issues)

[irmamar]

Then... for sleeping?

[poli]

Originally Posted by irmamar

Then... for sleeping?

For sleep and for sleeping are both acceptable. Some of us a night owls though.

[irmamar]

I thought that there was an -ing form following for and other prepositions.

[poli]

Originally Posted by irmamar

I thought that there was an -ing form following for and other prepositions.

Yes you are right. Cars are meant for driving (never say cars are meant for drive). Food is meant for eating (never say food is meant for eat). Shoes are made for walking (never say shoes are made for walk).
The exception is when the gerund can be replaced with a legitimate noun.
Sleep can be a noun. So, you can say shoes are meant for
a walk. The car is meant for a drive.
This is an important concept in English. I hope my explanation helps.

[irmamar]

Yes, now I understand. Thanks.

[JPablo]

Taking up the philosophical issues... or rather biological issues... of the graveyard shift... I have been on that working... and it is not a problem for a body that is kept fit... The only problem I know is when one burns both sides of the candle... then I'd think you may have issues... (Well, I know you have issues, because, like other sailors I've sinned on that line!)

Otherwise, as long as one sleeps 7 to 8 hours a night (or a day) you are okay... (How else would one philosophically sustain a sacred lore such as "la siesta de la tarde" and "la fiesta en la disco hasta las cinco..."??