mystery greek note

December 31, 2007 8:44 PM

Hello, could anyone possibly translate this for me? ΔΕΝΓΑΜΙΕΣΑΙ NA ΑΣΠΡΙΣΕΙΣ hope it's transcribed right, sorry if it's offensive. And could you suggest a good reply? (to flatmate) Ta!
posted by runincircles to writing & language (11 comments total)

Makes no sense, but it translates to "why don't you fuck to whiten yourself".
posted by evariste at 9:13 PM on December 31, 2007 [1 favorite]

Male flatmate or female? Call them a "malaka" (wanker, roughly) or claim to adore them ("se latrevo!"). Or say st'arxidia mou, which means "I write it on my balls". (Yes, it's appropriate for you to say that even though you're a girl).
posted by evariste at 10:22 PM on December 31, 2007 [1 favorite]

Pusti malaka
posted by Wolof at 2:18 AM on January 1, 2008

The sentence is essentially a dismissive, rhetorical question; the "ΔΕΝ ΓΑΜΙΕΣΑΙ" translates to "why don't you get fucked" or "why don't you fuck yourself", the word "NA" means "in order to", and then ΑΣΠΡΙΣΕΙΣ i'm at a loss to translate given the context, although it does literally mean "to become white". But I guarantee you given the level of articulation that Greeks have when it comes to cursing, that this phrase is making a very specific reference to a cultural inside joke that is both hurtful and comical in some way. Off-the-cuff guesses are that it's a racist reference (which I doubt, since Greek humor is not usually of the black/white racist flavor), or if it is a reference to one's age (in the sense of "why don't you go get laid so you turn into a man"). I'm positive there's a better explanation. I'll ask some friends tomorrow and let you know if I hear anything.
posted by phaedon at 2:52 AM on January 1, 2008

I'd respond with ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
posted by oxford blue at 3:03 AM on January 1, 2008

I think you should respond with this: 馬鹿野郎

It's pronounced "bah-kah-yah-ro" and it means "damn fool". (Colloquially, anyway. Literally it means "stupid rascal".)
posted by Steven C. Den Beste at 6:20 AM on January 1, 2008

Native speaker here.

phaedon's translation "why don't you fuck yourself/get fucked in order to become white" is correct. The "ΑΣΠΡΙΣΕΙΣ/become white" part isn't racist; it references the colour of semen. In your case it means that when you get fucked, you'll become white from the relevant fluids. When you want to say someone behaves masturbates or behaves like a wanker you can also say they are painting a wall. Same idea at play. lh, take notes.

You could reply something along the lines of "ΣΑΛΤΑ ΓΑΜΗΣΟΥ, ΑΓΑΠΟΥΛΗ", where "ΣΑΛΤΑ" is a colloquialism meaning get to it quickly (literally: jump), "ΓΑΜΗΣΟΥ" is the ever popular "fuck yourself" and "ΑΓΑΠΟΥΛΗ" is a diminutive of darling. I see you transcribed your flatmate's insult successfully but if you need pronunciation guidelines for your riposte, MefiMail me.

Have a happy new year.
posted by ersatz at 7:26 AM on January 1, 2008 [37 favorites]

I can't believe this is my first comment for the year.
posted by ersatz at 7:26 AM on January 1, 2008 [2 favorites]

What? That's the best comment EVAR, ersatz, and you should feel pride and holy AskMe power at your ability to provide it.
posted by cgc373 at 7:59 AM on January 1, 2008

lh, take notes.

I am, I am, and should I get the chance to do another curses/insults book, you've just signed yourself up as a principal informant.
posted by languagehat at 9:28 AM on January 1, 2008

Okay, lh. I'm just sharing the love.

That answer seems to have struck a chord.
posted by ersatz at 10:51 AM on January 1, 2008