Jan 18, 2020 16:46
4 yrs ago
8 viewers *
English term
Poland
ring off
English
Art/Literary
Poetry & Literature
early 20th century English
Maybe we'd better ring off, or you'll get in wrong with
The entire vast context can be found here
http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/8446/pg8446-images.html
The entire vast context can be found here
http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/8446/pg8446-images.html
Responses
| 4 +2 | stop talking |
Yvonne Gallagher
|
| 4 +1 | terminate a phone conversation |
Tony M
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| 4 -2 | להתנתק (לברוח) מפה |
Amit Sela
|
Responses
+2
1 day 19 hrs
Yvonne Gallagher
Ireland
Ireland
Native in English
&
English
Specializes in field
Ireland
right word, right place. everytime
Native in: English (Variants: US, Canadian, Irish, UK) 
Works in: French to English, Spanish to English, English, and 1 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
317
Selected
stop talking
or stop the conversation that the narrator, Cummings, is having with the American driver of the vehicle
the driver suggests that they should talk no more in case the French "t-d" (= tin derby =soldier with tin hat), acting as the escort (guard), can understand English
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Note added at 1 day 19 hrs (2020-01-20 11:53:19 GMT)
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and yes, I had to look up the context and read the appropriate part to be sure of the meaning.
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Note added at 9 days (2020-01-28 09:57:23 GMT)
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"ring off" normally used in the context of a phone conversation, as Tony initially said and yes, is still used.
However, in this context they are in a car, driving along. The American driver is talking to Cummings who is seated behind under guard so the ONLY possible meaning is "Hey, we'd better stop talking now as the t-d (soldier) might understand English."
No, I wouldn't say it's commonly used in this way but it's not incorrect either as the meaning is clear to English speakers in the context. Just that it's normally about phone conversations, ring someone (up) =start a phone conversation and ring off=end it. Everyone has their own ways of using language and this driver is using this term to mean 'let's stop talking now' as if he's on the phone rather than physically there.
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Note added at 11 days (2020-01-30 08:44:19 GMT) Post-grading
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Glad to have helped
the driver suggests that they should talk no more in case the French "t-d" (= tin derby =soldier with tin hat), acting as the escort (guard), can understand English
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Note added at 1 day 19 hrs (2020-01-20 11:53:19 GMT)
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and yes, I had to look up the context and read the appropriate part to be sure of the meaning.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 9 days (2020-01-28 09:57:23 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
"ring off" normally used in the context of a phone conversation, as Tony initially said and yes, is still used.
However, in this context they are in a car, driving along. The American driver is talking to Cummings who is seated behind under guard so the ONLY possible meaning is "Hey, we'd better stop talking now as the t-d (soldier) might understand English."
No, I wouldn't say it's commonly used in this way but it's not incorrect either as the meaning is clear to English speakers in the context. Just that it's normally about phone conversations, ring someone (up) =start a phone conversation and ring off=end it. Everyone has their own ways of using language and this driver is using this term to mean 'let's stop talking now' as if he's on the phone rather than physically there.
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Note added at 11 days (2020-01-30 08:44:19 GMT) Post-grading
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Glad to have helped
Note from asker:
| Thank you Yvonne. It makes sense that this is just another way of saying shut up. I'm just wondering if it is early 20th century American usage. This is important to me be able to locate this expression. Compared to a native speaker my exposure to English is limited plus I lack the native speaker's intuition. Maybe I want to much, but some kind of insight of where comes from, whether this phrase is still in use, even rarely and by older older people etc. would be much appreciated |
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Selected automatically based on peer agreement."
-2
16 hrs
להתנתק (לברוח) מפה
From the conversation, the inmates are having in "The Enormous Room" by E.E cumming, ring off (like slamming down a phone) means to scram.
I hope it helps.
I hope it helps.
Note from asker:
| It makes sense, but if you can provide something to support your reading, I would really appreciate it. (Sorry, I cannot read Hebrew!) Thanks for your suggestion. |
Peer comment(s):
| disagree |
Yvonne Gallagher
: it's En> EN pair and anyway, your explanation makes no sense in the context
1 day 2 hrs
|
| disagree |
Tony M
: And in the context, there is no sense of 'scramming' (= physically leaving)
1 day 2 hrs
|
+1
5 mins
English term (edited):
ring off
terminate a phone conversation
This is the usual meaning — sorry, I don't have time right now to go and check your context.
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Note added at 6 hrs (2020-01-18 23:20:11 GMT)
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Well, only because you didn't paste the immediate context, which might have made it clear...
How are we supposed to know all this if you don't bother to tell us...?
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Note added at 1 day 2 hrs (2020-01-19 19:16:02 GMT)
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I'm pretty sure tha here it does mean "bring this conversation to an end" — just that they're not literally on the phone!
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Note added at 6 hrs (2020-01-18 23:20:11 GMT)
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Well, only because you didn't paste the immediate context, which might have made it clear...
How are we supposed to know all this if you don't bother to tell us...?
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Note added at 1 day 2 hrs (2020-01-19 19:16:02 GMT)
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I'm pretty sure tha here it does mean "bring this conversation to an end" — just that they're not literally on the phone!
Note from asker:
| I would not bother the community to find out something I can look up in any dictionary. There is no hurry and no deadline. And the meaning is unclear to an educated Brit. |
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Tina Vonhof (X)
1 day 1 hr
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Thanks, Tina!
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