Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Russian term or phrase:
«Фоксовый» следователь.
English translation:
Argus-eyed/hawk-eyed
Added to glossary by
Katya Kesten
Apr 22, 2020 23:24
4 yrs ago
26 viewers *
Russian term
«Фоксовый» следователь.
Russian to English
Art/Literary
Poetry & Literature
From a literary synopsis
A description of a private investigator. He is elsewhere a haggard, worn out old man, not attractive in any way. Perhaps a mistaken borrowing of foxy, which often means sexy, to mean clever, like a fox?
Proposed translations
(English)
| 4 +1 | Argus-eyed |
Katya Kesten
|
| 2 -1 | Private Investigator from Fox Investigations |
Turdimurod Rakhmanov
|
References
| На Фоксе |
Katya Kesten
|
Change log
Apr 24, 2020 11:03: Katya Kesten Created KOG entry
Proposed translations
+1
52 mins
Katya Kesten
Native in English
Specializes in field
High-End Localization & Transcreation
Native in: English (Variant: US) 
Works in: Russian to English, English
Related KudoZ points
:
35
Selected
Argus-eyed
"Paying close attention usually for the purpose of anticipating approaching danger or opportunity."
Other options: hawk-eyed, sharp-eyed, tenty,
Seasoned, hardened, battle-scarred could also work depending on the context.
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Note added at 8 hrs (2020-04-23 08:16:03 GMT)
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Pop culture reference to "Argus-eyed":
J.K. Rowling’s Argus Filch, the ever-vigilant caretaker of Hogwarts, who also happens to be a highly unpleasant man.
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Note added at 9 hrs (2020-04-23 08:30:51 GMT)
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As for "tenty," depends on the context and how eccentric/literary/original the author is trying to be. My assumption was that this was either for a screenplay or a lit. description. It's a Scottish word: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tenty, but borrowed words enter this line of work all the time (ex. Clockwork Orange). If I'm wrong in my assumption, there are plenty of alternatives used in day-to-day speech.
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Note added at 9 hrs (2020-04-23 08:42:35 GMT)
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The way foxy is currently used in Russian (see my ref. comments) differs from how it was used in 70's English unless the reference was to "clever like a fox," which would speak to the protagonist's cunning, intelligence, and skill.
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Note added at 10 hrs (2020-04-23 09:41:47 GMT)
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Just so there's no confusion, the term "Argus-eyed" originally came about in reference to Argos (the hundred-eyed watchman) of Greek mythology. I assume J.K. Rowling came up with the first name of the HP character with this in mind.
Other options: hawk-eyed, sharp-eyed, tenty,
Seasoned, hardened, battle-scarred could also work depending on the context.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 8 hrs (2020-04-23 08:16:03 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Pop culture reference to "Argus-eyed":
J.K. Rowling’s Argus Filch, the ever-vigilant caretaker of Hogwarts, who also happens to be a highly unpleasant man.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 9 hrs (2020-04-23 08:30:51 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
As for "tenty," depends on the context and how eccentric/literary/original the author is trying to be. My assumption was that this was either for a screenplay or a lit. description. It's a Scottish word: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tenty, but borrowed words enter this line of work all the time (ex. Clockwork Orange). If I'm wrong in my assumption, there are plenty of alternatives used in day-to-day speech.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 9 hrs (2020-04-23 08:42:35 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
The way foxy is currently used in Russian (see my ref. comments) differs from how it was used in 70's English unless the reference was to "clever like a fox," which would speak to the protagonist's cunning, intelligence, and skill.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 10 hrs (2020-04-23 09:41:47 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Just so there's no confusion, the term "Argus-eyed" originally came about in reference to Argos (the hundred-eyed watchman) of Greek mythology. I assume J.K. Rowling came up with the first name of the HP character with this in mind.
Note from asker:
| Argus-eyed isn't lost on me (I read my greek myths) but might not be the right translation for the context. Something like hawk-eyed or something attesting to his cunning and skill... that's where I'm headed. Thank yoU! |
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
mrrafe
: Argus probably much too arcane for most EN speakers. Tenty isn't a word. Your alternatives are better, or wily, cagey. Asker is correct that foxy used to have that meaning but no longer.
6 hrs
|
|
Thanks, mrrafe. Wily/cagey are also definitively used for describing those sorts of characters.
|
|
| agree |
The Misha
: That Potty Harry reference was totally lost on me too, and I am not, in all fairness, all that old. I'd go with hawk-eyed, or shrewed, or sth. From MSNBC Investigations:))))))
8 hrs
|
|
Thanks, Misha! There's definitely a ton of options!:))
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thank you!"
-1
31 mins
Turdimurod Rakhmanov
Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan
Education, Legal, Technical & Medical
Native in: Uzbek (Variants: Tashkent, Ferghana valley, Samarkand-Bukhara, Khorezm) , Kirghiz
Works in: English to Uzbek, English to Kirghiz, English to Kazakh, and 26 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
31
Private Investigator from Fox Investigations
Private Investigator from Fox Investigations
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Note added at 32 mins (2020-04-22 23:57:06 GMT)
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Or
Fox Private Investigator
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Note added at 2 hrs (2020-04-23 01:51:59 GMT)
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https://www.vervemagazine.co.nz/anna-jeffs-private-investiga...
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Note added at 32 mins (2020-04-22 23:57:06 GMT)
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Or
Fox Private Investigator
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Note added at 2 hrs (2020-04-23 01:51:59 GMT)
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https://www.vervemagazine.co.nz/anna-jeffs-private-investiga...
Peer comment(s):
| disagree |
The Misha
: Why not CNN? Or CNBC? Or CBS even? You know, they all run private eye gigs on the side:))))))
8 hrs
|
|
Thanx, Misha, please, see the discussion topic above. I mentioned only if it is the English (British) text as Fox is popular in Britain. I wanted to suggest the different version than Asker's. Conf. level is 2.
|
Reference comments
40 mins
Katya Kesten
Native in English
Specializes in field
High-End Localization & Transcreation
Native in: English (Variant: US)
Works in: Russian to English, English
Related KudoZ points
:
35
Reference:
На Фоксе
быть начеку, настороже, контролировать обстановку вокруг себя, быть бдительным, держать руку на пульсе, всегда быть готовым стартануть, стоять на шухере.
Discussion