This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
  1. KudoZ™ Top
  2. English to Latin
  3. Music

Do not spit in the wind

Latin translation: noli in ventum spuere

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
English term or phrase:Do not spit in the wind
Latin translation:noli in ventum spuere

16:29 May 26, 2010
    The asker opted for community grading. The question was closed on 2010-05-29 18:54:09 based on peer agreement (or, if there were too few peer comments, asker preference.)


English to Latin translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Music
English term or phrase: Do not spit in the wind
Translation of verse from Jim Croce song that states you "don't spit in the wind" or "pull on Superman's caape."
mlamb_sr
noli in ventum spuere
Explanation:
This is a variation of the translation offered by InfoMarex: it uses spuere instead of sputare (which is a frequentative of spuere), and it's in the second person singular rather than plural (as the old English thou, that is). In addition, I have translated literally "in the wind", as "contra ventum" would be "against the wind". I don't think either of these has ancient authority, though.
Selected response from:

Ivo Volt
Estonia
Local time: 14:03
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +2noli in ventum spuere
Ivo Volt
4Nolite contra ventum sputare
Michael McCann


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


8 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
do not spit in the wind
Nolite contra ventum sputare


Explanation:
The above is a direct translation. However, such would not be used by Romans who would have said something similar to "Nolite deis molestiam adferre" - Do not do something stupid like annoying the Gods!

As for "Superman's cape", unfortunately the concept did not exist in the time when Latin was spoken.

Michael McCann
Ireland
Local time: 12:03
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

20 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
do not spit in the wind
noli in ventum spuere


Explanation:
This is a variation of the translation offered by InfoMarex: it uses spuere instead of sputare (which is a frequentative of spuere), and it's in the second person singular rather than plural (as the old English thou, that is). In addition, I have translated literally "in the wind", as "contra ventum" would be "against the wind". I don't think either of these has ancient authority, though.

Ivo Volt
Estonia
Local time: 14:03
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EstonianEstonian
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Barbara Wiebking
3 hrs
agree  Joseph Brazauskas
1 day 5 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:
ProZ.com term search
Search millions of term translations
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search