seconds couteaux

English translation: foot soldiers

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
French term or phrase:seconds couteaux
English translation:foot soldiers
Entered by: Julie Barber

11:22 Sep 25, 2007
French to English translations [PRO]
Social Sciences - International Org/Dev/Coop
French term or phrase: seconds couteaux
It is from a text about street children in Haiti. Here's the context:

"Beaucoup de jeunes ont été ‘démilitarisés’, ils faisaient partie des gangs armés en tant que mules [transport de drogue] ou seconds couteaux."
Laura Craggs
Local time: 01:10
lieutenants / foot soldiers
Explanation:
taking a guess

http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=466999

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 10 mins (2007-09-25 11:33:43 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

ie, they do the dirty work for somebody else....
Selected response from:

Julie Barber
United Kingdom
Local time: 01:10
Grading comment
I think 'foot soldiers' sounds right in this context. Thanks to all. Laura
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
2 +3lieutenants / foot soldiers
Julie Barber
3lower-ranking (gang) members
hirselina
3just some other ideas...
Cervin
3gang rank and file
CMJ_Trans (X)


  

Answers


9 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 2/5Answerer confidence 2/5 peer agreement (net): +3
lieutenants / foot soldiers


Explanation:
taking a guess

http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=466999

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 10 mins (2007-09-25 11:33:43 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

ie, they do the dirty work for somebody else....

Julie Barber
United Kingdom
Local time: 01:10
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 28
Grading comment
I think 'foot soldiers' sounds right in this context. Thanks to all. Laura

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  siragui: Foot soldiers sounds good to me ("lieutenants" gives them too much responsibility)
4 mins
  -> thanks. I took lieutenants from the link and then thought of foot soldiers which I prefer; it's commonly used in relation to gangs

agree  suezen
15 mins
  -> thanks

agree  Terry Richards: Foot soldiers
39 mins
  -> thanks Terry. I prefer that one too
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

12 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
lower-ranking (gang) members


Explanation:
They are not the bosses

hirselina
Native speaker of: Native in FrenchFrench, Native in DutchDutch
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

40 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
just some other ideas...


Explanation:
Underlings, subordinates, underdogs...minions even. although this probably doesnt have quite the right tone for your context

Cervin
United Kingdom
Local time: 01:10
Native speaker of: English
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

14 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
gang rank and file


Explanation:
perhaps

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 14 mins (2007-09-25 11:37:27 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

minions

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2007-09-25 12:48:41 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

LEGMEN

CMJ_Trans (X)
Local time: 02:10
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 58
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.

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:
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search