British use of "wet" - English Spanish Translator Org: Translation Forum � Translators Forums

elmeromero · 09-21-2006, 04:41 PM

The other day I asked my English friend if he liked Money Mark, and his reply was, "Aeh, he's kinda wet," which I took to mean watered down, wack, sappy, compromised, like a eunuch. Can anyone offer any comments?

sergio · 09-22-2006, 08:41 AM

I just asked one of my english coworkers and he said that he had never heard of an "idiom" or a term like that. Could it be that you heard wrong or maybe he was referring to something else?

enlight us by asking your friend again.

elmeromero · 09-22-2006, 09:26 AM

I thought it was a great word, too, and I have started using it at every opportunity. Encourage your coworker to do the same.

Veronica · 09-22-2006, 09:29 AM

What is Money Mark?

Robert · 09-23-2006, 01:28 AM

I think this is slang that has entered the language in the past few decades - I don't recall its use in my younger years. I would go by the definitions at:

www.peevish.co.uk/slang/w.htm (feeble; emotional; effeminate)

and

www.artistwd.com/joyzine/australia/strine/w-3.php (1. weak; feeble; spiritless. 2. stupid; senseless)

I think I've generally taken to understanding it as a contraction (and development) of "wet behind the ears" - see for example:

www.answers.com/topic/wet-behind-the-ears

maybe also associated with limpness which may result from being wet. But maybe I'm just guessing.

elmeromero · 09-28-2006, 11:03 AM

thanks for taking time to respond. those websites are great.

GuanajuatoGal · 06-16-2007, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elmeromero

The other day I asked my English friend if he liked Money Mark, and his reply was, "Aeh, he's kinda wet," which I took to mean watered down, wack, sappy, compromised, like a eunuch. Can anyone offer any comments?

oK, I know it's all a bit late but I HAVE just joined the forum.

You are right in your translation of wet - a bit like a wet fish - limp; no backbone etc etc.

emilyb · 11-23-2007, 03:00 PM

I have not heard this, but we should start using it, dont you think?

carlam · 12-27-2007, 10:23 AM

Hey Emilyb- Did you hear that new Britney Spears song??? Now THAT is wet.

emilyb · 12-27-2007, 01:12 PM

carlam, it is wet! sooo dissapointing....that girl....

09-21-2006, 04:41 PM	#1
elmeromero Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 181 Rep Power: 112	British use of "wet" The other day I asked my English friend if he liked Money Mark, and his reply was, "Aeh, he's kinda wet," which I took to mean watered down, wack, sappy, compromised, like a eunuch. Can anyone offer any comments?

09-22-2006, 08:41 AM	#2
sergio Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 18 Rep Power: 34	Could it be that he said a diferent word? I just asked one of my english coworkers and he said that he had never heard of an "idiom" or a term like that. Could it be that you heard wrong or maybe he was referring to something else? enlight us by asking your friend again. __________________ S

09-22-2006, 09:26 AM	#3
elmeromero Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 181 Rep Power: 112	the term used was "wet", to be sure I thought it was a great word, too, and I have started using it at every opportunity. Encourage your coworker to do the same.

09-22-2006, 09:29 AM	#4
Veronica Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Argentina Posts: 573 Rep Power: 212	What is Money Mark? __________________ mmm...chocolate.

09-23-2006, 01:28 AM	#5
Robert Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 11 Rep Power: 34	I think this is slang that has entered the language in the past few decades - I don't recall its use in my younger years. I would go by the definitions at: www.peevish.co.uk/slang/w.htm (feeble; emotional; effeminate) and www.artistwd.com/joyzine/australia/strine/w-3.php (1. weak; feeble; spiritless. 2. stupid; senseless) I think I've generally taken to understanding it as a contraction (and development) of "wet behind the ears" - see for example: www.answers.com/topic/wet-behind-the-ears maybe also associated with limpness which may result from being wet. But maybe I'm just guessing. Last edited by Robert : 09-23-2006 at 01:40 AM.

09-28-2006, 11:03 AM	#6
elmeromero Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 181 Rep Power: 112	cheers robert! thanks for taking time to respond. those websites are great.

11-23-2007, 03:00 PM	#8
emilyb Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Argentina Posts: 394 Rep Power: 242	I have not heard this, but we should start using it, dont you think? __________________ Emily B

12-27-2007, 10:23 AM	#9
carlam Contributing User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 88 Rep Power: 38	Hey Emilyb- Did you hear that new Britney Spears song??? Now THAT is wet.

12-27-2007, 01:12 PM	#10
emilyb Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Argentina Posts: 394 Rep Power: 242	carlam, it is wet! sooo dissapointing....that girl.... __________________ Emily B

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