Extra special

Posted by Henry on April 03, 2004

In Reply to: French Idiom posted by Lotg on April 01, 2004

: : : : : Dammit, the poster put the blanks all together.
: : : : : _ ruler
: : : : : la
: : : : : _ _ a _ elle
: : : : : _ ar
: : : : : les
: : : : : _ eu _
: : : : : _ _ u _ s
: : : : : That's each separate word. hopefully that will show up.

: : : :
: : : : It's "brûler la chandelle par les deux bouts"
: : : : I have no time to search for appropriate translation now, I'll be back later.

: : : You could translate to "burn the candle at both ends"
: : : The meaning is roughly: lead a "high speed" careless life of excess, "spending (wasting) money like water", abusing of all good things and pleasures, in such way you could find yourself burnt out or worn out much earlier than average people.

: : My candle burns at both ends;
: : It will not last the night;
: : But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends -
: : It gives a lovely light!
: : Edna St. Vincent Millay

: Thankyou MichaelFR. Thankyou Henry. Things often sound better in French don't they? But Henry, that poem you quoted is fantastic and from now I intend to use it.

Thank you too. That's how the community at this site likes to work. It answers a query then goes on to add something extra!

• Extra special Gabriella 05/April/04