Thread: enfant terrible

Hello!

For the ones who didnt read my previous emails, I am reading a book: First Among Equals, by Jeffrey Archer; and i find some difficulties to understand some phrases. I appreciate the comment of any person who may understand them better than me.

the frase: enfant terrible

in: " 'Enfant terrible' muttered the man sitting on the right of Andrew"

in this part, Andrew and the man are giving their opinions about a person who is giving a speech.

any idea of what it means??? Thanks!!

Clarab

The word enfant was used to refer to the crown prince of France, I believe. I don't know if this helps any.

The "enfant terrible" (terrible child in English) refers to a child who candidly enjoys saying embarrassing things to adults, especially parents.

Clarab, Cocinera

To help you I agree with you : enfant terrible can be translated by terrible child.

"Les enfants terribles" is also a book from Jean Cocteau and then has been adapted to the cinema.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Enfants_terribles_(film)

Thanks...Hope you understand better now.

thank you all!!

thank you cocinera, your explanation was perfect.

thank you for the data, Kainu.

Clarabe

Hola a todos!
GLORICK, me parece que puedes estar confundida con el término
Dauphin – “El Delfín” en español.
Antes, Dolphin, Dolphyn (Anglo-French), Dalfín (Old French), que es el título otorgado exclusivamente al heredero a la corona de Francia, primogénito varón del rey en turno.
La pronunciación puede confundir a nuestros oídos hispanos: Dauphin vs. Enfant.
A mi parecer Cocinera tiene la definición perfecta. En México por ejemplo, (de forma muy local y familiar) podría traducirse dependiendo el caso, como “chamaco latoso”, “escuincle insolente” o tal vez “niño malcriado”. La expresión en francés “Le Enfant Terrible” ha tomado fuerza como la denominación “universal” para la definición de este arquetipo, como en el caso de “Femme Fatale”.