What Does Que le den por el saco al obispo Mean?

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The discussion revolves around the translation and meaning of the Spanish phrase "Que le den por el saco al obispo." Participants confirm it is indeed Spanish and explore its implications, with translations suggesting a dismissive sentiment towards a bishop. The phrase is linked to Graham Greene's novel "Monsignor Quixote," where a character uses it in a humorous context after being brought back by a priest and doctor at the bishop's behest. The phrase is interpreted as a politically incorrect expression of frustration, akin to "bugger the bishop." Additionally, there are comments on the challenges of translation, particularly regarding context, and a humorous reference to a quote by former US Vice President Dan Quayle about regretting not studying Latin. The conversation highlights the nuances of language and cultural references in translation.
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Someone translate this for me if you will:

Que le den por el saco al obispo.
 
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Are you sure that is not mexican or spanish??
 
I guess being able to speak spanish is finally paying off.

Que le den - That they give
por el saco - for the sacking
al obispo - to the bishop


Hmm, that's a strange saying? Are you trying to sack a bishop?
 
Pretty sure it is Spanish, which I don't know how to speak.. all I can make of it is:

que = who/that
le = you
por = because of/for/by
el = the
saco = sack/bag
al = the
obispo = bishop

!?

There IS a bishop coming to Europe soon with a big sack, into which he will put children which are not nice to him and take them back to Spain.. does that have anything to do with it??
 
Originally posted by dduardo
I guess being able to speak spanish is finally paying off.

Que le den - That they give
por el saco - for the sacking
al obispo - to the bishop


Hmm, that's a strange saying? Are you trying to sack a bishop?
Couldn't you wait ONE minute??
 
Ha! Shows where my two years of high school Spanish got me. I can't even recognize the language. It's from Graham Greene's, Monsignor Quixote. It's a modern retelling of Cervantes' classic tale. Anyway, the Monsignor goes out on a road trip across Spain with the communist ex-mayor of El Toboso and the two of them get into some trouble. The Bishop becomes angry and gets a priest and a doctor to go and bring back the Monsignor. So, anyway, to wrap up this explanation, the Monsignor, still a little hazy from all the wine he's consumed, wakes up the next morning back in El Toboso, and when the priest and the doctor try to explain why they brought him back, that it was the bishop's idea, Monsignor Quixote mutters that sentence. Everyone in the room, including the Monsignor, is shocked (except the Monsignor's maid, who chuckles) and later the doctor sort of roughly translates it as "bugger the bishop." Thanks all.
 
This reminds me of an alleged quote by former US VP Dan Quayle:

"I was recently on a tour of Latin America, and the only regret I have was that I didn't study Latin harder in school so I could converse with those people."
 
  • #10
Don't trust current translation software. They always mess up context. What does coat have to do with sacking anyway?
 
  • #11
"That they give by the bag to the bishop."

I can only assume it mean a tithe -- giving money to the church.

- Warren
 
  • #12
Originally posted by quartodeciman
This reminds me of an alleged quote by former US VP Dan Quayle:

"I was recently on a tour of Latin America, and the only regret I have was that I didn't study Latin harder in school so I could converse with those people."

Well, I hope my post wasn't quite that bad. Dan Quayle. Republicans. [Sigh]
 
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