Backhanded compliments.

Question

Not sure which category this should be in.

But it could be fun to learn some backhanded compliments in English and Spanish

You do not sweat much for a fat lass.

No sudas mucho para una muchacha gorda. (would this be understood?)

"No sudas mucho para ser tan gorda" sounds more natural, althought it is very nasty indeed! - Gekkosan, May 4, 2010

I know but we had to start somewhere Gekko. - ian-hill, May 4, 2010

In English it is not SO bad as your Spanish version. - ian-hill, May 4, 2010

Answer 1

Usted se ve bastante bien para su edad.

You look pretty good for an old man.

"Usted se ve bastante bien para su edad" would probably be the most natural way to say this. - Gekkosan, May 4, 2010

Answer 2

I thought I would share a couple that have been "paid" directly to me:

You are so smart for a blonde!

and:

Oh, you must be one of those smart blondes!

Happy to see you here again, blonde Renae... :) - Rikko, May 5, 2010

lol - cheeseisyummy, May 5, 2010

Smart Blonde? Is that a oxymoron? Just kinding. Someone really said that to you? - Oblaidon, May 5, 2010

I would love to hear what you said to the moron that said that to you Renae. Glad to see you again. - ian-hill, May 5, 2010

Answer 3

Cariño tu vestido te hace ver delgada.

Sweetheart your dress makes you look slim.

"dalgada", unless you're talking to a tranvestite. - Gekkosan, May 4, 2010

No, I don't know any skinny tranies...thanks again. - MattM, May 5, 2010

Answer 4

A type of comment (I won't say it's a compliment) that I hear when people are speaking of others of a different race or ethnicity (and they think they are doling out a compliment)...

"She is (name of race/ ethnicity)...and she's so articulate!"

"¡Es (etnicidad/ raza)...y es muy elocuente!"

I always cringe and try to intervene when I hear this (all too often)...

I have had one or two of those thrown in my direction at some point. :-p - Gekkosan, May 4, 2010

Old Colonialism ? - ian-hill, May 4, 2010

Answer 5

"Las cosas buenas vienen en paquetes pequeños, querido. Y en periodos cortos de tiempo. "

"Good things do come in small packages, dear. And in short durations."

Answer 6

You have very nice handwriting for a dumb guy.