10-04-2011, 12:38 PM
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#1
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Acerbic Cyberbully
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: back in Chilliwack
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The Search for Synonyms
I'm working with a colleague on a new English translation for a collection of ancient Jewish texts written in Greek, one of which is the apocryphal story of Susanna. It's a great story about a beautiful woman who is tricked into an impossible situation in which she is in danger of compromising her integrity and fidelity. One of the neat things in this story is all the space committed to describing her beauty, and the effect that this has on men (think about it like soft-porn for religious Jews!)
I am having problems with finding a good English equivalent for a Greek word in the story: in one description of her stunning beauty, other older English translations have described her as "refined" or "dainty", which doesn't really convey accurately in one word the sense of the Greek word used into contemporary English.
How would one describe in a single word a woman with model-quality looks and figure; one who captivates a man's attention and lust, but who is not slutty? The closest I can think is "curvaceous", but this is not quite right. The Greek word is not so specific in describing a woman's figure; it is much more holistic in conveying the quality of her presence.
Any thoughts?
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10-04-2011, 12:42 PM
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#2
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The new goggles also do nothing.
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Calgary
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Why not captivating?
__________________
Uncertainty is an uncomfortable position.
But certainty is an absurd one.
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10-04-2011, 12:43 PM
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#3
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First Line Centre
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Toronto
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Breath taking?
__________________
I like to quote myself - scotty2hotty
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10-04-2011, 12:43 PM
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#4
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#1 Goaltender
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: An all-inclusive.
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Foxy
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10-04-2011, 12:45 PM
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#5
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RANDOM USER TITLE CHANGE
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: South Calgary
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Go with shapely or buxom 
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10-04-2011, 12:46 PM
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#6
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Calgary, AB
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Bootylicious.
__________________
Turn up the good, turn down the suck!
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10-04-2011, 12:47 PM
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#7
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The new goggles also do nothing.
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Calgary
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Alluring? Enticing?
Or more towards the looks rather than the reaction?
__________________
Uncertainty is an uncomfortable position.
But certainty is an absurd one.
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10-04-2011, 12:49 PM
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#8
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The new goggles also do nothing.
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Calgary
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Ravishing?
__________________
Uncertainty is an uncomfortable position.
But certainty is an absurd one.
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10-04-2011, 12:51 PM
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#9
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#1 Goaltender
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: An all-inclusive.
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"Susanna's badonkadonk drove the men folk crazy." Yeah, sounds academic to me.
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10-04-2011, 12:51 PM
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#10
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: In my office, at the Ministry of Awesome!
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Katy Perry-esque?
__________________
THE SHANTZ WILL RISE AGAIN.
 <-----Check the Badge bitches. You want some Awesome, you come to me!
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10-04-2011, 12:53 PM
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#11
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Acerbic Cyberbully
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: back in Chilliwack
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I think I like "ravishing" and "breathtaking"? I will probably try a few and run them past my co-author.
Thanks.
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10-04-2011, 12:53 PM
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#12
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#1 Goaltender
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Calgary
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pulchritudinous
__________________
GO FLAMES GO
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10-04-2011, 12:54 PM
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#13
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: nexus of the universe
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I'd recommend bodacious if it didn't automatically conjure up the voice of Wayne from Wayne's Word.
Mesmerizing comes to mind. Voluptuous.... Divine.... Ambrosial...
__________________
Would there even be no trade clauses if Edmonton was out of the NHL? - fotze
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10-04-2011, 12:56 PM
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#14
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Vancouver
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I think Photon nailed it with captivating.
__________________
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10-04-2011, 12:59 PM
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#15
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Franchise Player
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Bang tidy?
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10-04-2011, 01:01 PM
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#16
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Powerplay Quarterback
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Otnorot
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I have nothing useful to offer other than my sincerest contrafibularities on choosing either ravishing or breathtaking.
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10-04-2011, 01:17 PM
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#17
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Lifetime Suspension
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I prefer "hittable"
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10-04-2011, 01:21 PM
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#18
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Franchise Player
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tapalicisous? or alternatively (and i promised myself I'd never make this joke - but it seems so appropriate) Fotze's mom......
any chance this books will be made into a movie, for those of us who don't like books (or don't know how to read)
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10-04-2011, 01:25 PM
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#19
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Franchise Player
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Northendzone
tapalicisous? or alternatively (and i promised myself I'd never make this joke - but it seems so appropriate) Fotze's mom......
any chance this books will be made into a movie, for those of us who don't like books (or don't know how to read)
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He said not slutty
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10-04-2011, 01:31 PM
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#20
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Kalispell, Montana
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Enchanting
__________________
I am in love with Montana. For other states I have admiration, respect, recognition, even some affection, but with Montana it is love." - John Steinbeck
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