Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Spanish term or phrase:
cuaja la mayonesa
English translation:
the plot thickens
Added to glossary by
Noni Gilbert Riley
Sep 3, 2012 10:54
11 yrs ago
Spanish term
United Kingdom
Traductora audiovisual Español-Inglés
Native in: English
Works in: Spanish to English, Portuguese to English
cuaja la mayonesa
Spanish to English
Other
History
Hi all, This phrase is used as a cross-head in a Spanish academic article about a secessionist movement in Africa. The full heading is "Cuaja la mayonesa: la secesión". Rather than a literal translation (the mayonnaise sets) from the context I take it to mean that the situation has crystallized -since the historical antecedents are set out in the preceding section of the article.
My attempt at a translation would be: the stage is set.
Can anyone shed any light on this for me? Is it commonly used in a figurative way?
Many thanks!
My attempt at a translation would be: the stage is set.
Can anyone shed any light on this for me? Is it commonly used in a figurative way?
Many thanks!
Proposed translations
(English)
| 3 +3 | the plot thickens |
Noni Gilbert Riley
|
| 4 | matters come to a head |
Peter Riccomini
|
| 2 +1 | the rot sets in |
Carol Gullidge
|
| 3 | the dust has settled |
Simona de Logu
|
Change log
Sep 10, 2012 10:25: Noni Gilbert Riley Created KOG entry
Proposed translations
+3
1 hr
Noni Gilbert Riley
Spain
Spain
Native in English
Spain
The translator people turn to
Native in: English (Variant: UK) 
Works in: Spanish to English, French to Spanish, English, and 1 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
39
Selected
the plot thickens
Again, without the full context of what is coming under this heading, a bit of a stab in the dark, but I came to this via thinking that my literal translation would have been thicken...
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Benjamin A Flores
: I like it!
2 hrs
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|
Thank you Benjamín
|
|
| agree |
Altogringo
: Especially in light of the added context provided by Samantha's discussion entry.
8 hrs
|
|
Thank you
|
|
| agree |
Rachel Fell
8 hrs
|
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Thanks Rachel
|
3 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Many thanks for all of your input, it has really helped!"
+1
33 mins
Carol Gullidge
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Native in English
Specializes in field
United Kingdom
poetically precise prose with... panache
Native in: English
Works in: French to English, Spanish to English, English
Related KudoZ points
:
80
the rot sets in
Having made mayonnaise by hand in Menorca (where, as it happens, Mayonnaise is supposed to have been invented) on many occasions, I'd translate "cuaja" here as "curdles" rather than "sets" - ie, with negative rather than positive connotations (failure of curdling rather than the success of the mayonnaise setting).
But this isn't really shedding any light on the normal usage of the phrase (as you asked), hence the low CR
But this isn't really shedding any light on the normal usage of the phrase (as you asked), hence the low CR
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Wendy Streitparth
: As you say: curdled and negative!
9 hrs
|
|
many thanks Wendy - in keeping with the Asker's "the situaton crystallises"
|
1 hr
Simona de Logu
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Native in English
United Kingdom
Interpreter, translator and journalist
Native in: English 
, German
Works in: German to English, Spanish to English, Italian to English, and 3 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
8
the dust has settled
Perhaps one English expression that comes close is "once/now the dust has settled".
Based on the context you have given, I think this could work in the sense that secession is the final outcome now that the dust, as in historical events/upheavals, has settled.
Based on the context you have given, I think this could work in the sense that secession is the final outcome now that the dust, as in historical events/upheavals, has settled.
5 hrs
matters come to a head
Another possibility
Discussion
The preceding section of the article spoke of the ownership of the region by various colonial forces, and the relative power of various ethnic groups and political parties post independence.
The section entitled 'cuaja la mayonesa' begins by talking about an agreement between the main political parties that the nation would be unified post independence. However, one of the signatories to that agreement later lead a secessionist uprising.
Thus I am leaning towards 'the plot thickens'. Would you agree?
PS I now realise it would have been helpful to provide this context in the initial post, apologies.