Comments on: So How Does One “Screw the Pooch?”

By: Translator

Translator — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 20:47:10 +0000

Great article! thanks. And if you like idioms you should check this page outhttp://www.k-international.com/french_idiomsIt gives a list of French idioms with their English translations – really shows how funny language is out of context (and what a nightmare it can be to translate languages!).

By: JD

JD — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:50:22 +0000

Actually, while I don’t see this phrase used much in the Deaf Community, it is actually the younger generation that has tended to use it the most… and/or the tech community. As a computer programmer, I use the term “pooch” often to talk about making a big mistake with programming, downloading, etc.

The younger generation may not know or even care about the origin of the phrase, but they like using it simply for its shock value – let’s face it, they enjoy language of this sort. I’ve heard plenty of 20-year-olds using it, but if you’d ask them which book the expression comes from, they would likely just give you a blank stare…

By: Bill

Bill — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 09:32:50 +0000

I think Lucky’s way sounds appropriate, because I think in general, that phrase is so uncommon, that most younger people won’t have even heard/seen that phrase used. It’s really kind of a disgusting phrase, if you think about it.

By: Lucky

Lucky — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 21:21:20 +0000

I’d fingerspell “screwed the pooch” while leaning a bit forward, putting that fingerspelling in quotes, and then sign:
mean what? mistake fuck up!

Lucky

By: heh

heh — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 21:19:51 +0000

is that to say that taylor screwed the pooch recently?

By: deafbipolar

deafbipolar — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 20:13:45 +0000

I would sign it like this….”mistake, fuck up”

Now every deaf person no matter how limited their education or signing, they KNOW the sign “fuck up”.

I do not like interpreters to generalize the signs and if there is a crude or rude word, to actually sign it or fingerspell it. It’s not right for the interpreter to decide what we can hear. Every and all words, no matter how awful it sounds should be said….because the hearing audience gets the message…why cant we?