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Cue

English translation: imagine (or cue)

14:20 Jul 11, 2012
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Textiles / Clothing / Fashion
English term or phrase: Cue
Dear Colleagues,

I need your help please. I would like to know what is the meaning of the imperative verb "cue" in the following context:


Karl Lagerfeld sends out the collection with an embroidered ivory silk crepe dress draped over the body and head. Cue the sensuous rustle of saris exiting the Maharajah’s palace to decorate cities everywhere.

Thanks so much in advance...
Taghreed Mahmoud
Egypt
Local time: 20:48
Selected answer:imagine (or cue)
Explanation:
"Cue" would ordinarily be a written direction contained in a script for a film or commercial. (It can also be spoken, as if reading such a direction.) If this is indeed the script for a commercial, you should keep "cue." If it is the text of a written advertisement or other descriptive material meant to evoke a particular situation, then "imagine" would work nicely.
Selected response from:

Laura Friend
United States
Local time: 10:48
Grading comment
Thanks so much
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
4 +2This is the event which causes...
Jack Doughty
4 +2imagine (or cue)
Laura Friend
4 +1start/in this case, expect
NancyLynn
4 +1At this point, one can/should/must conjure up the image of...
Colin Rowe
4and next ...
B D Finch
4bring on
Laura Friend


  

Answers


4 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
cue
start/in this case, expect


Explanation:
"Cue" is the director's command to line everything up to start. In this case, you could replace "cue with "you can expect" in your sentence to get the meaning.

NancyLynn
Canada
Local time: 13:48
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks so much


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  dandamesh: et voila' in this case?
23 mins
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6 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
cue
This is the event which causes...


Explanation:
The word "cue", originally used in scripts and scenarios of plays and films, for the event or word which is a sign for something to happen (someone's entrance, some sound effect, etc.), has come to take on this meaning in a more general way (probably because it is just a little three-letter word, so it is a more concise way of expressing the idea).

Jack Doughty
United Kingdom
Local time: 18:48
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 16
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks so much .. This is really helpful ..


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Sheila Wilson: I think we can use it for pretty much anything now, but it's got to happen immediately. It is nice to get all that into 3 letters!
5 mins
  -> Cue for thanks from me.
agree  dandamesh
22 mins
  -> Thank you.
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18 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
cue
and next ...


Explanation:
While Jack has explained the origin, I think that one has to also understand the cultural way the word is used, as in this case, somewhat flippantly and as a mild expression of knowingness. Of course, saris are not leaving Maharajah's palaces to decorate your local high street.

B D Finch
France
Local time: 19:48
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 8
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27 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
cue
imagine (or cue)


Explanation:
"Cue" would ordinarily be a written direction contained in a script for a film or commercial. (It can also be spoken, as if reading such a direction.) If this is indeed the script for a commercial, you should keep "cue." If it is the text of a written advertisement or other descriptive material meant to evoke a particular situation, then "imagine" would work nicely.

Example sentence(s):
  • Imagine the sensuous rustle of saaris...
  • Imagine yourself on a sunny beach in Malibu.
Laura Friend
United States
Local time: 10:48
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Thanks so much
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks so much


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  dandamesh: good explanation and imagine would fit very well, I was thinking et voila'
5 mins
  -> Thank you, dandamesh!
agree  Tina Vonhof (X): Would fit well in this context.
7 mins
  -> Thank you, Tina!
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55 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
cue
bring on


Explanation:
Here is another way to look at it. This may be helpful if what you want is to translate it into another language. It comes from the parlance of stage or film.

Example sentence(s):
  • Bring on the ladies in their sensuously rustling saaris.
  • Bring on the talking gecko.
Laura Friend
United States
Local time: 10:48
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
cue
At this point, one can/should/must conjure up the image of...


Explanation:
With Jack Doughty for the origins.
With BD Finch for the explanation.
And with Sheila Wilson for the comment: "It is nice to get all that into 3 letters!"

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2012-07-11 15:31:50 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

The idea is that if this was a film or stage play, the very next scene would have images of sensuously rustling saris exiting the Maharajah’s palace, etc.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2012-07-11 15:33:18 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

It is used figuratively here, however, as there is no film or play involved, just the imagination of the writer/reader.

Colin Rowe
Germany
Local time: 19:48
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks so much


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Shera Lyn Parpia
3 hrs
  -> Thanks!
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