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. French to English
  3. Slang

Péter plus haut que son cul

English translation: To think that his/her shit doesn't stink

03:56 Oct 27, 2013
French to English translations [Non-PRO]
Slang / colloquial expression/argot
French term or phrase: Péter plus haut que son cul
I apologize in advance for the register, but I am looking for the equivalent in English to this expression which is apparently also considered a proverb.

It means that you believe that you are better than you actually are but is there an English expression which conveys the same idea?

Thank you for your help!

Estelle
Estelle Demontrond-Box
Australia
Local time: 04:40
English translation:To think that his/her shit doesn't stink
Explanation:
I'm sure there are many others, but this is the first one that comes to mind:-)
Selected response from:

sporran
France
Local time: 20:40
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +3To think that his/her shit doesn't stink
sporran
4 +2To be too big for one's boots
Mohamed haddadi
4 +2he thinks he's it / he's a cocky bugger
Tony M
4 +2to think you're the dog's bollocks
Catharine Cellier-Smart
4 +2to be full of oneself
Nikki Scott-Despaigne
4He thinks he knows it all
Jean-Claude Gouin
4Thinks the sun shines out of his arse
SafeTex
4To think his shit smells of roses
B D Finch
3Suffer from delusions of grandeur
Joanne Nebbia


Discussion entries: 6





  

Answers


17 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
To think that his/her shit doesn't stink


Explanation:
I'm sure there are many others, but this is the first one that comes to mind:-)

sporran
France
Local time: 20:40
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in FrenchFrench
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Maciej W: True, this one is not suitable for every situation, but I guess neither is the original. In actual use, though, there's usually one more offensive element: "DON'T stink" ;-)
2 hrs
agree  Daryo: looks like a good equivalent!
2 hrs
agree  Alison Sabedoria (X): This comes over as a somewhat stronger, but the right sentiment.
3 hrs
neutral  Tony M: I think this would work in the US, but IMHO would not be suitable for the UK
4 hrs
neutral  Victoria Britten: It's great, but I agree with Tony, so depends on target readership
5 hrs
neutral  Nikki Scott-Despaigne: For the UK, this would come across as stronger (smellier? (sorry!)) than the original.
7 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

36 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
He thinks he knows it all


Explanation:
In French Canada, we say 'péter plus haut que le trou'.
You can use 'he' or 'she'.
He thinks he's better than the others.
He thinks that he's better than he really is.
He's a bit of a show-off.

Be careful when using this expression in English. I wouldn't use it in formal circumstances and would only use it with friends or colleagues in a casual setting.

If you want a good translation, use sporran's suggestion.
If you want a good translation that you can use everywhere,
use my suggestion ...


Jean-Claude Gouin
Canada
Local time: 14:40
Native speaker of: Native in FrenchFrench
PRO pts in category: 8
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

3 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
To be too big for one's boots


Explanation:
Vouloire péter plus haut que son cul

Mohamed haddadi
Local time: 19:40
Native speaker of: Native in ArabicArabic

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Tony M: I think this is the closest equivalent expression in EN.
44 mins
  -> thank you Tony
neutral  Victoria Britten: The meaning is there, but it's a shame it lacks the slight derogatory vulgarity
2 hrs
agree  Nikki Scott-Despaigne
4 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

4 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
il pète plus haut que son cul
he thinks he's it / he's a cocky bugger


Explanation:
Both gleaned from the Robert & Collins dictionary.

Note that the latter option is marked for GB.

Again, it all depends on the source text in which it is being used, as to whether the tone is exactly right or not.


Tony M
France
Local time: 20:40
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 12

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Victoria Britten: I like "cocky bugger" - IF, as you say, target is GB. Not so hot on "thinks he's it": it's idiomatic, certainly, but to my mind doesn't convey the same idea as source.
1 hr
  -> Thanks, Victoria! I think it's along the lines of 'the bees knees' etc.
agree  Carol Gullidge: I like "he's a cocky bugger" (hear it all the time down here in Devon. But "he sthinks he's it" sounds a bit dated to my ears - something we (speaking for myself!) we would have said when I was growing up!)
3 hrs
  -> Thanks, Carol! Yes, I agree, if this is for the UK, that would be my preferred solution too. I think #1 is possibly OK for the US, and might not sound so dated there?
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

4 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
Suffer from delusions of grandeur


Explanation:
I think you have to choose a translation which best fits the cultural context of the person who is actually using the phrase. Delusions of grandeur is actually a mental disorder, but it is commonly used as an insult or dismissive retort, and may fit your context. Good luck!

Joanne Nebbia
Local time: 20:40
Works in field
Native speaker of: English

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Tony M: Yes, but this seems pretty unlikely to match the register of the highly colloquial source term. / No, I just mean the s/t is an informal expression, and this is quite a formal one. Nothing to do with "earthiness" or "class"...
2 hrs
  ->  Highly colloquial is like saying slightly square. But if you are referring to the ‘earthiness’ of the French expression (to English ears) then I don’t think that has any relevance in this case, as its use in France is hardly an indicator of social class
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

6 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
to think you're the dog's bollocks


Explanation:
keeping it scatological - might be too vulgar; it's a variation on the more genteel "bee's knees, cat's whiskers" etc.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/dog's_bollocks

Catharine Cellier-Smart
Reunion
Local time: 22:40
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 8

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Tony M
49 mins
  -> thanks Tony
agree  Nikki Scott-Despaigne: I'd forgotten this one! A minister could probably say the French in a friendly interview but perhaps not this one in English though. // @1045 : I was making reference to ministers of the political kind. 8-)))! And I was not recommending (should?).
1 hr
  -> thanks Nikki
neutral  Jean-Claude Gouin: @ Nikki ... I don't think that a minister/priest/rabbi could/should say the original expression in French ... It's way too vulgar.
3 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

7 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
to be full of oneself


Explanation:
Just another suggestion among many possibilities. Actually most dictionaries have this. Example : http://www.larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais-anglais/péter/...

The Larousse, nonetheless, has a wide range of expressions with "péter". Take a look. They often come in handy!

PS : It is a good idea to check dictionaries before posting ; just a reminder that it is indeed expected. ;-)



Nikki Scott-Despaigne
Local time: 20:40
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Tony M: Yes... so full of himself, in fact, that it keeps leaking out in the wrong place :-))
36 mins
agree  Yolanda Broad: This one would work on both sides of the Atlantic.
1 day 11 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

16 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
Thinks the sun shines out of his arse


Explanation:
Jesus. There are some expressions I've never heard of. Didn't know we had so many. Here's the one I use

SafeTex
France
Local time: 20:40
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Tony M: We don't normally say "He thinks the sun shines out of his (own) arse", but rather "My Mother dotes on my boyfriend — she thinks the sun shines out of his arse." I didn't say 3rd PERSON, but 3rd PARTY ;-)
15 mins
  -> Hello TM. I really don't follow. All the expression are in the 3rd person (he thinks that.....)
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

1 day 6 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
To think his shit smells of roses


Explanation:
A more refined version of Sporran's answer for a UK readership.

B D Finch
France
Local time: 20:40
Native speaker of: English
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