Jan 24, 2022 10:34
2 yrs ago
46 viewers *
English term
a great day to set a hen
English
Art/Literary
Poetry & Literature
There is a question about meaning of "to set a hen" in the ENPL group - www.proz.com/kudoz/7036463
The answers provided so far opt for a direct/literal translation, but I have some doubts ... Is there any hidden/disguised meaning of this phrase, or am I reading too much into this?
The term comes from "MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors" by Richard Hooker
The Swampmen were at breakfast when Major Houlihan and Captain Burns entered. As the two started to pass the table, eyes front, Duke spoke up.
"Mornin', Frank," he said.
"Hiya, Hot Lips," said the Chief Surgeon to the Chief Nurse. "Now that I'm a chief, too, we really oughta get together."
Frank stopped, turned and made one menacing step toward the Swampmen.
"Join us if you wish, Frank," invited Hawkeye. "Looks like a great day to set a hen."
Captain Burns thought better of it. He escorted Major Houlihan to a distant table, but his moment came that night when he and Hawkeye found themselves together in the utility room, next to the OR, where coffee was available. Hawkeye had just poured himself a cup and was seated at the table, sipping and smoking, when Captain Burns entered and approached the coffee pot.
"Hey, Frank," said the Hawk, "is that stuff you're tappin' really any good?"
"One more word out of you," Frank erupted, screaming it, "and I'll kill you!"
"So kill me," Hawkeye said.
- http://www.deuceswild-vette.net/pub/fiction/general/Hooker/M...
The answers provided so far opt for a direct/literal translation, but I have some doubts ... Is there any hidden/disguised meaning of this phrase, or am I reading too much into this?
The term comes from "MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors" by Richard Hooker
The Swampmen were at breakfast when Major Houlihan and Captain Burns entered. As the two started to pass the table, eyes front, Duke spoke up.
"Mornin', Frank," he said.
"Hiya, Hot Lips," said the Chief Surgeon to the Chief Nurse. "Now that I'm a chief, too, we really oughta get together."
Frank stopped, turned and made one menacing step toward the Swampmen.
"Join us if you wish, Frank," invited Hawkeye. "Looks like a great day to set a hen."
Captain Burns thought better of it. He escorted Major Houlihan to a distant table, but his moment came that night when he and Hawkeye found themselves together in the utility room, next to the OR, where coffee was available. Hawkeye had just poured himself a cup and was seated at the table, sipping and smoking, when Captain Burns entered and approached the coffee pot.
"Hey, Frank," said the Hawk, "is that stuff you're tappin' really any good?"
"One more word out of you," Frank erupted, screaming it, "and I'll kill you!"
"So kill me," Hawkeye said.
- http://www.deuceswild-vette.net/pub/fiction/general/Hooker/M...
Discussion
I don't know of any idiom or slang about setting a hen (but it may be an American saying that I'm unaware of), so it may be fine to translate it with the equivalent term in Polish. Hopefully you'll get other opinions soon.