[Dixielandjazz] Translation of French Bechet Title

[Kurt]

Rob said: Bart Simpson says "Have a cow man", whatever that means, but
linguistically, it is the same type
of construction.


Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the great philosopher Bart Simpson
said, "DON'T have a cow, man!"  Meaning, "Relax", "Take it easy", "Take a
chill pill Jill", etc.

Kurt

-----Original Message-----
From: dixielandjazz-bounces at ml.islandnet.com
[mailto:dixielandjazz-bounces at ml.islandnet.com]On Behalf Of
Schnabbels at aol.com
Sent: Monday, February 02, 2004 1:49 AM
To: civanj at adelphia.net
Cc: dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com
Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] Translation of French Bechet Title


Craig,

Questions like yours always pique my interest, so I checked.

The original meaning of "cafard" is either (1) someone who is insincere,
hypocritical, as well as someone who tells on others. or (2) a cockroach,
one of
the most maligned insects on earth (though they will be the only ones who
will
survive a nuclear holocaust). "Avoir un cafard" therefore, in the idiom,
means
to feel down about something or to be fed up with something, reflecting the
negative connotation of the more narrow meaning of the word. Bart Simpson
says
"Have a cow man", whatever that means, but linguistically, it is the same
type
of construction.

I suspect, that in naming the tune, they wanted to avoid the word "blues"
because it is English and thus keep the title purely French. The French are
kinda
picky about that (and why shouldn't they be?).

As far as I am concerned, "As-tu le cafard" can safely be translated with
either "Do you have the blues" or, if you want to give it a bit of nuance:
"Are
you feeling down".

Rob van der Plas
Scottsdale, AZ
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