Stehaufmännchen

English translation: person with a never-say-die attitude

14:54 Nov 2, 2016
German to English translations [PRO]
Bus/Financial - Management
German term or phrase: Stehaufmännchen
A client has used this word to refer to people who 'bounce back' after setbacks/defeat and possibly come back stronger. They used "tumbler" in their English, as in the Weebles toys (which 'wobble but don't fall down' if my memery serves me right), but I have my doubts. I heard tumbler and though gymnast. Any ideas? Is there something in English which is as instantly clear as the German?
Aspley
Local time: 08:57
English translation:person with a never-say-die attitude
Explanation:
Just adding this one to the mix, at Ramey's request.

See discussion entry (reproduced here)

person with a never-say-die attitude
http://en.langenscheidt.com/german-english/stehauffrau

Brendan Perring charts how Albert Keane’s passion for his trade and a ‘never say die’ attitude has seen him bounce back to found a successful business where people come first
http://www.signlink.co.uk/Specials/Ahead-of-the-Curve/2160/t...

“It’s not how you get knocked down, it’s how you get back up. It took him (‘Buffering’) a long time to win a big one but he’s endeared himself to the public because of that never say die attitude.”
http://www.lions.com.au/news/2016-02-09/never-say-die

http://philosiblog.com/2012/12/19/fall-seven-times-stand-up-...

Using something like "has the ability to bounce back like a[n] punch ball, inflatable punch bag, rubber ball, etc.", as Bernhard suggests, also seems a reasonable option for the situation you describe (like a Weeble or like a tumbler doll probably wouldn't work for your audience). Whatever you choose, you presumably have to avoid any possible negative connotations, e.g. as in

"Teflon Trump's infamously impenetrably ability to bounce back"
or
Weebling and wobbling Boris Johnson keeps bouncing back up
Who remembers Weebles? The magnificently odd toys which rolled around clumsily causing much amusement but with very little end product.
Well, with a hat tip to ITV’s political editor Robert Peston for the inspiration, it’s impossible to think of Boris Johnson as being anything other than part of the family.
The one caveat I’d make is that Johnson is obviously from the little known Teflon range, such is his seeming ability to wipe disaster off himself with very little effort.
https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/opinion/talking-politics/223...

Selected response from:

Alison MacG
United Kingdom
Local time: 07:57
Grading comment
The 'never-say-die solution' was very popular at today's meeting - many thanks, much appreciated!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +1comeback kid
Michael Martin, MA
3 +1person with a never-say-die attitude
Alison MacG
3Skipjacks; diehards
Andrew Bramhall
3Mr./Mrs. Resilience
Ramey Rieger (X)
3trier
Lancashireman
3like the inflatable children's punch toy
Bernhard Sulzer
3Jack-in-the-box
Dhananjay Rau
3perseverer
Cilian O'Tuama


Discussion entries: 27





  

Answers


6 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
Skipjacks; diehards


Explanation:

Skipjacks not after the tuna fish, but after the type of small sailing boat with a V-shaped bottom which when blown or pushed to one side or the other, automatically re-stabilises its equilibrium.

Andrew Bramhall
United Kingdom
Local time: 07:57
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks Oliver! I came across skipjack, too, but had never heard of it before - particularly in this context - and nor had my colleagues. Would you have understood the meaning in this context straight away? 'Diehard' sounds a bit too much like Clint Eastwood or Charles Bronson - again, in this context.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
disagree  Ramey Rieger (X): Just gotta disagree, Oliver - a diehard is more of a zealot and skipjack is just too obscur.
27 mins

agree  Lancashireman: Die-hard (Bruce Willis) is not all that different from the winning answer - and a lot more compact.
1 day 9 hrs
  -> Thanks
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17 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
comeback kid


Explanation:
Works in the US, maybe not in the UK

https://www.google.com/#q=comeback kid meaning

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2016-11-02 15:57:45 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Okay, how about "Mr. Relentless"?
Keeps going like the energizer bunny, can't be kept down, always bounces right back into the fray..

"Paul Millsap: Mr. Relentless
The soul of the Atlanta Hawks, Paul Millsap defines what it means to play the right way. Versatile and committed, tenacious and gritty, Millsap rebounds the ball, passes on the block, scores inside and out and controls the pace. But, his biggest contribution is his toughness and consistency. The 2006 second round pick approaches the game the same way miners search for coal. He digs in and never, ever lets up as he is relentless in his will to achieve." https://soaringdownsouth.com/2015/05/18/cavs-hawks-4-players...

Michael Martin, MA
United States
Local time: 03:57
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 63
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks Michael, great suggestion, my only concern is that it sounds like somebody who was away for a while and starts a comeback; my context is more picking yourself up off the floor, dusting yourself down and getting back into the action.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Eleanore Strauss: This is actually a perfect way of 'transcreating' the intent and character of the original. However, this is primarily an American expression. Not sure how well it would suit British language and culture. I think relentless is too harsh. :) sounded Britis
3 hrs
  -> Good points. I always assume ANY variety of English is fair game unless asker declares a preference
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
Mr./Mrs. Resilience


Explanation:
As a descriptive eponym, when a noun is desired/ bouncing back, when a verb and bouncebacker for the heck of it.

Ramey Rieger (X)
Germany
Local time: 08:57
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 16

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Daniel Gray: As a Brit, I can't say I've ever heard this expression. However, it could work well for an American audience (is it generally used in sports journalism?)
13 mins
  -> I made it up, so what do you think of when you hear it?
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9 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
trier


Explanation:
trier
noun [ C ] UK ​ /ˈtraɪ.ər/ US ​ /ˈtraɪ.ɚ/ mainly uk approving
​someone who tries hard to succeed in what they do, even if it fails:
Example: She's a real trier, I'll give her that.
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/trier

Lancashireman
United Kingdom
Local time: 07:57
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 68
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12 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
like the inflatable children's punch toy


Explanation:
...weighted on the bottom/floor
variation: punching toy

Keeping in mind you are talking to a German audience, I would prefer the verbal options, but ... your choice.



see:
http://tinyurl.com/hmzrdfb
3. ....

so that description
someone who gets right back up again

someone who always gets back up again

or:
someone who keeps bouncing back
see:
http://tinyurl.com/zmuczrs

or:
a person/someone you (just) can't keep down
http://tinyurl.com/hvwj5zy

or:
a fighter
or:
he is no quitter
someone who never quits/never gives up

gets back up again and again




Bernhard Sulzer
United States
Local time: 03:57
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: German
PRO pts in category: 23
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17 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
Jack-in-the-box


Explanation:
I would say

Dhananjay Rau
India
Local time: 13:27
Native speaker of: English
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20 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
person with a never-say-die attitude


Explanation:
Just adding this one to the mix, at Ramey's request.

See discussion entry (reproduced here)

person with a never-say-die attitude
http://en.langenscheidt.com/german-english/stehauffrau

Brendan Perring charts how Albert Keane’s passion for his trade and a ‘never say die’ attitude has seen him bounce back to found a successful business where people come first
http://www.signlink.co.uk/Specials/Ahead-of-the-Curve/2160/t...

“It’s not how you get knocked down, it’s how you get back up. It took him (‘Buffering’) a long time to win a big one but he’s endeared himself to the public because of that never say die attitude.”
http://www.lions.com.au/news/2016-02-09/never-say-die

http://philosiblog.com/2012/12/19/fall-seven-times-stand-up-...

Using something like "has the ability to bounce back like a[n] punch ball, inflatable punch bag, rubber ball, etc.", as Bernhard suggests, also seems a reasonable option for the situation you describe (like a Weeble or like a tumbler doll probably wouldn't work for your audience). Whatever you choose, you presumably have to avoid any possible negative connotations, e.g. as in

"Teflon Trump's infamously impenetrably ability to bounce back"
or
Weebling and wobbling Boris Johnson keeps bouncing back up
Who remembers Weebles? The magnificently odd toys which rolled around clumsily causing much amusement but with very little end product.
Well, with a hat tip to ITV’s political editor Robert Peston for the inspiration, it’s impossible to think of Boris Johnson as being anything other than part of the family.
The one caveat I’d make is that Johnson is obviously from the little known Teflon range, such is his seeming ability to wipe disaster off himself with very little effort.
https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/opinion/talking-politics/223...



Alison MacG
United Kingdom
Local time: 07:57
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
The 'never-say-die solution' was very popular at today's meeting - many thanks, much appreciated!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  BrigitteHilgner
4 hrs
  -> Thanks, Brigitte
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20 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
perseverer


Explanation:
a real perseverer

not a word, understandable nonetheless.

Cilian O'Tuama
Germany
Local time: 08:57
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 23
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