french > english

help · Post by **help** » Thu, 07 Apr 2005 7:39 pm

what does the french phrase "graissé la patte" mean in english?
anyone? Thanks!

frenchy · Post by **frenchy** » Thu, 07 Apr 2005 10:29 pm

When were you told this words?

the French meaning depends on the context

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri, 08 Apr 2005 9:07 am

actually it is out of a news paper article...

"Paul Andreu n'est pas mis en cause pour avoir directement graissé la patte de dignitaires chinois."

in regards to the collapse of the CDG airport...

Post by **Strong Eagle** » Fri, 08 Apr 2005 9:52 am

From Babelfish

graissé la patte = lubricated the leg

so...

"Paul Andreu is not blamed to have directly lubricated the leg of Chinese dignitaries."

OK... I suspect that an automated translator may not get all the nuances.

kayhec · Post by **kayhec** » Fri, 08 Apr 2005 9:56 am

It means bribing, giving money under the table....

Don't trust online translator they are useless....

Post by **Strong Eagle** » Fri, 08 Apr 2005 10:13 am

I do believe that anyone with an imagination could understand what "lubricate the leg" means, especially in the context of a government deal.

eh+lah · Post by **eh+lah** » Mon, 09 May 2005 12:34 pm

patte = paw if remember correctly, or rather refers to the limb of an animal.

sved · Post by **sved** » Tue, 10 May 2005 11:20 pm

Paul Andreu n'est pas mis en cause pour avoir directement graissé la patte de dignitaires chinois

"Paul Andreu hasn't been involved in corruption case with Chinese dignitaries"

eh+lah · Post by **eh+lah** » Tue, 10 May 2005 11:53 pm

not directly anyways.

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french > english

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