Some phrases from Lemony Snicket's movie

Question

In a Lemony Snicket's series of unfortunate events movie, Count Olaf tells the Baudelaire orphans: And welcome to my loverly home. May you find solace within the womblike warmth of its... downy plume. Or as the Greeks in the ancient times would say: Ophanis... encribo... something, something, something. Music builds to a crescendo. Ending on the right foot. And strike a Fosse.

1. I don't understand what exactly downy plume means here and what relation it has to a home. Could you explain it to me, please?

2. Ending on the right foot - is it a stress on the last syllable? Carey pronounces it the way as if he meant a linguistic stress.

3. Strike a Fosse = strike a Fosse pose, right? What does it mean when a man/woman strikes this pose? What do they what to say with that?

Thanks in advance!

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

Welcome to the Forum.

From a movie based on a children's book, these are actually very adult and academic references.

1. I don't understand what exactly downy plume means here and what relation it has to a home. Could you explain it to me, please? It refers to the soft feathers of a bird, a nice place to rest. It's actually a poetic, literary reference. The Elizabethan dramatist, Michael Drayton, wrote Ile lay thee on the Swans soft downy plume.

2. Ending on the right foot - is it a stress on the last syllable? Carey pronounces it the way as if he meant a linguistic stress. It is a technical term for poetry, referring to a group of syllables of which one is stressed. From Wikipedia:"In http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verse, a foot is the basic unit of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meter_%28poetry%29 used to describe rhythm. A foot consists of a certain number of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syllable forming part of a line of verse".

3. Strike a Fosse = strike a Fosse pose, right? What does it mean when a man/woman strikes this pose? What do they what to say with that? Bob Fosse was a famous dancer/choreographer with a very distinctive and unique style. A Fosse pose is unmistakably dramatic and stylish.

Best wishes, Clive

Sonambul · Answer

Clive
Hi, Welcome to the Forum.

Thanks, Clive.

From a movie based on a children's book, these are actually very adult and academic references.

2. Ending on the right foot - is it a stress on the last syllable? Carey pronounces it the way as if he meant a linguistic stress. It is a technical term for poetry, referring to a group of syllables of which one is stressed. From Wikipedia:"In verse, a foot is the basic unit of meter used to describe rhythm. A foot consists of a certain number of syllables forming part of a line of verse".

Then what exactly does "ending on the right foot" mean? Or maybe he meant a physical action like standing on the right foot at the end of smth? Is it really about poetry?

3. Strike a Fosse = strike a Fosse pose, right? What does it mean when a man/woman strikes this pose? What do they what to say with that? Bob Fosse was a famous dancer/choreographer with a very distinctive and unique style. A Fosse pose is unmistakably dramatic and stylish.

Is there any synonyms for this phrase? Descriptive...whatever? As a native speaker you might have some ideas.

Warmest regards.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

Then what exactly does "ending on the right foot" mean? Or maybe he meant a physical action like standing on the right foot at the end of smth? Is it really about poetry? >>

I believe the context is:

Music builds to a crescendo
Ending on the right foot
And strike a Fosse.

Based on this, I get the image that the person is just dancing, ends the dance on the correct foot and is thus able to freeze in a dramatic pose. It doesn't seem to be about poetry at all.

(Fosse pose) Is there any synonyms for this phrase? Descriptive...whatever? As a native speaker (and a dancer, I might add!)you might have some ideas. It's not a standard, common phrase. Perhaps you could just say 'a dramatic and creative pose'.

I wonder if a lot of dancers doing a Fosse dance routine could be called a 'Fosse posse'? (Ha-ha)

Best wishes again, Clive

Sonambul · Answer

Thanks, Clive.

I have more questions. May I make them in this thread?

Clive · Answer

Hi,

Questions are always welcome. If they are on another topic, it's better if you just start another thread. Threads are free here on the Forum! Ha-ha!

Clive

Sonambul · Answer

Well, as all my questions belong to this "loverly" movie, I suppose it's appropriate to remain in this thread

1. Doctor Steffano (Count Olaf) talks with Doctor Montgomery about his experience as a (fictitious) scientist:

Well, I am a fan, if I may gush. Your work has profoundly influenced my research up at the Monterey Bay Aquarium... on the sea snake. It's a very volatile animal. I've been bitten 43... 700 times. Mostly on the face.

What does volatile mean here? I've translated it as "unpredictable". Am I right?

2. When running into one of the orphans in the market Count Olaf blurts out "Lord thundering jumped-up Jehovah". The orphans' guardian (their aunt) screams
"The black plague! Is it the black plague?"
a). I understand that this is some sort of Eastern Canadian talk... but as I have to translate it into my native language, I should have some idea... What does "thundering" and "jumped-up" mean here? Is there any similar synonyms?
b). Why the black plague? What is so funny about it? And what does it have in common with Lord Jehovah?

3. Trying to warm his way into the confidence of the orphans' new guardian (their aunt that is a grammar freak), Count Olaf says:

Count Olaf: Why, perhaps it's just the ramblings of an expert fisherman, but grammar is the number-one most important thing in this here world to me.

Aunt: It is?

Count Olaf: It's the whole ball of wax. The entire kit and caboodle. Why, without your good grammar, the whole darn shooting match could go a.r.s.e. over tea kettle.

Aunt: Well, you can certainly turn a phrase.

Count Olaf: I can flip it up and rub it down too. Of course, that would be entirely up to you, mum.

a) Well, what is he referring to with the whole darn shooting match? Go **** over tea kettle is to collapse?

b) turn a phrase is say smth in a clever, etc. way. But flip it up and rub it down? What does he mean?

4. Horrid Harbor. Horrid means here horrible, terrible, etc ,right?

Curdled Cave. What exactly does curdled means here? Some synonym?

Well, I hope I haven't burdened you with my questions

Clive · Answer

Hi,

Don't worry, it's no trouble for me.

1. Doctor Steffano (Count Olaf) talks with Doctor Montgomery about his experience as a (fictitious) scientist:

Well, I am a fan, if I may gush. Your work has profoundly influenced my research up at the Monterey Bay Aquarium... on the sea snake. It's a very volatile animal. I've been bitten 43... 700 times. Mostly on the face.

What does volatile mean here? I've translated it as "unpredictable". Am I right? Yes. Unstable, lively.

2. When running into one of the orphans in the market Count Olaf blurts out "Lord thundering jumped-up Jehovah". The orphans' guardian (their aunt) screams
"The black plague! Is it the black plague?"
a). I understand that this is some sort of Eastern Canadian talk... Really? I didn't know there was an Eastern canadian aspect to this movie, I assumed it was standard USA fare. Good. but as I have to translate it into my native language, I should have some idea... What does "thundering" and "jumped-up" mean here? Is there any similar synonyms? 'Thundering' is perhaps a unique intensifier. I associate it with Newfoundlanders. A well-known Newfoundland expresssion, instead of 'Jesus!' is 'Lord thundering (t'underin') Jesus ('Jeezus'). 'Thundering' can mean not only 'loud' but 'excessive or huge', as in 'a thundering error'. 'Jumped-up' refers to someone who is newly in a position of importance/authority, and believes themselves to be important. There's a certain amusing irony in using these adjectives for Jehovah.

b). Why the black plague? What is so funny about it? And what does it have in common with Lord Jehovah? I don't think the Black Plague has anything to do with Jehovah. Jehovah's name is just invoked to show surprise at meeting the orphans. It's like exclaiming 'MyGod' in surprise.

I don't have enough context to understand why the Black Plague is mentioned here. Perhaps Olaf shows so much surprise that the guardian thinks something improtant, like the Plague, is happening?

3. Trying to warm his way into the confidence of the orphans' new guardian (their aunt that is a grammar freak), Count Olaf says:

Count Olaf: Why, perhaps it's just the ramblings of an expert fisherman, but grammar is the number-one most important thing in this here world to me. (A man after my own heart!)

Aunt: It is?

Count Olaf: It's the whole ball of wax. The entire kit and caboodle. Why, without your good grammar, the whole darn shooting match could go a.r.s.e. over tea kettle.

Olaf is ironically using bad grammar and unspohisticated vocabulary here. 'Darn' means 'damned'. 'The whole shootingmatch' means 'everything'. '****' means '***'. To go '*** over tea kettle' means 'to fall badly, completely', 'to collapse', as you say.

Aunt: Well, you can certainly turn a phrase.

Count Olaf: I can flip it up and rub it down too. Of course, that would be entirely up to you, mum. These phrases are exaggerated synonyms for 'turn', which was used in 'turn a phrase'. Olaf is, ironically, turning wild and clever phrases.

a) Well, what is he referring to with the whole darn shooting match? Go *** over tea kettle is to collapse?

b) turn a phrase is say smth in a clever, etc. way. But flip it up and rub it down? What does he mean?

4. Horrid Harbor. Horrid means here horrible, terrible, etc ,right? Yes

Curdled Cave. What exactly does curdled means here? Some synonym? 'Curdle' means as in your dictionary. I think the word is used here only because of the alliteration with 'cave'. There is also humour in that it is a strange word to juxtapose with 'cave', it's unexpected.

I have two thoughts. One is that you have listened to the dialogue in this move with a very good and accurate ear. The other is that it sounds like a great movie, with a lot of very clever verbal play. I want to see it!

Write again if you have any more queries, OK?

Clive

Sonambul · Answer

Hi!

3. Trying to warm his way into the confidence of the orphans' new guardian (their aunt that is a grammar freak), Count Olaf says:

Count Olaf: Why, perhaps it's just the ramblings of an expert fisherman, but grammar is the number-one most important thing in this here world to me. (A man after my own heart!)

Aunt: It is?

Count Olaf: It's the whole ball of wax. The entire kit and caboodle. Why, without your good grammar, the whole darn shooting match could go a.r.s.e. over tea kettle.

Olaf is ironically using bad grammar and unspohisticated vocabulary here. 'Darn' means 'damned'. 'The whole shootingmatch' means 'everything'. '****' means '***'. To go '*** over tea kettle' means 'to fall badly, completely', 'to collapse', as you say.

Everything like what? That is, without yourgood grammar, everything (like... in your life) would collapse? What precisely he is referring to with the "whole"? Or maybe the whole world would collapse? Like a metaphor

Aunt: Well, you can certainly turn a phrase.

Count Olaf: I can flip it up and rub it down too. Of course, that would be entirely up to you, mum. These phrases are exaggerated synonyms for 'turn', which was used in 'turn a phrase'. Olaf is, ironically, turning wild and clever phrases.

Thanks. Now I know how I can "turn a phrase" in my translation One moment . I read somewhere that there was some sexual meaning to those "flip it up and rub it down". Is there any? If there is, could you point it out?

Curdled Cave. What exactly does curdled means here? Some synonym? 'Curdle' means as in your dictionary. I think the word is used here only because of the alliteration with 'cave'. There is also humour in that it is a strange word to juxtapose with 'cave', it's unexpected.

I asked it because it is called "ruinous cave" in the official translation. Maybe because one of the meanings of "curdle" is "to freeze with fear", etc. Anyway, I don't think it is excellent translation. Could it be "sour cave" (like in sour milk)? Curdled and sour is almost the same thing.

it sounds like a great movie, with a lot of very clever verbal play. I want to see it!

I highly recommend it. It is a very funny comedy with a lot of black humor. I don't think it is aimed for children ,anyway.

Write again if you have any more queries, OK?

Sure

Regards

Clive · Answer

Hi,

Everything like what? That is, without your good grammar, everything (like... in your life) would collapse? What precisely he is referring to with the "whole"? Or maybe the whole world would collapse? Like a metaphor

Yes, the whole world, everything.

I read somewhere that there was some sexual meaning to those "flip it up and rub it down". Is there any? Yes, at least in this context. If there is, could you point it out? That could be a long and hard explanation! Let me just say that rubbing can certainly have a sexual connotation, and probably flipping, too, depending on your imagination and your energy.

Curdled Cave As I said, this is a good phrase because of the alliteration (both words start with the same sound).

Best wishes, Clive

Sonambul · Answer

Hi, Clive!

1.Lachrymose lake. It is a talking name, isn’t it? Can it be a sort of “Crying lake”?

2. Count Olaf threatens: If you don't say "I do," or if anything should happen to interrupt this performance, I say one word into this (walkie-talkie), and down will come baby, cradle and all. Clang!

What does he mean with “cradle and all?”. What does “cradle” have to do with this?

3. Ladies and gentlemen, could you put your appendages together for The Marvelouse Marriage.

Is it a usual opening speech in theatres? Smth. like “get ready for”? Could you please comment on this one?

4. While backstage, before the play, the orphans stand talking. Suddenly a voice rings out:

Voice: Camel, you're on.

Violet: - Go, Klaus.

Klaus: - Violet…

Violet: Go.

Voice: Move your hump, camel. You're on.

As Klaus doesn’t participate in the play (Count Olaf want to make a marriage in this theatre play real. He is only marrying Violet to get to the Baudelaire fortune), I suppose that these words were for Violet to go out on stage or to get ready to go out… Your opinion? And why camel? Something to say about that?

Some phrases from Lemony Snicket's movie

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Hi,

Welcome to the Forum.

1. I don't understand what exactly downy plume means here and what relation it has to a home. Could you explain it to me, please? It refers to the soft feathers of a bird, a nice place to rest. I

Hi, Welcome to the Forum.

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