1)When something is translated into another language, and sometimes translated back into the original language, and because of differences of the languages some of the original meaning is lost.

2)Whenever someone re-does something in a new medium (for instance, a movie based on a book) and, due to differances between the mediums, some details and the original meaning is not present.

3)A movie that came out in 2003.

1)See larstait's post for a good example.

2)"Did you like the new Harry Potter movie?" asked Maria. "No," answered Sharon. "They couldn't include all the details that were in the book because then the movie would be too long. A lot of the characterization and subext was lost in translation."

3)I really liked Lost in Translation. And if you didn't, your opinion can't possibly be worth anything, you must be an idiot or a philistine. No, I didn't just imagine the subtext, it's there and it's very moving!

Lost In Translation by Newbia September 1, 2004

chicken translation

A literal translation of words or idioms that doesn't make much sense in the language it was translated to. Originated in Turkey

German: Ohrwurm -> English: Earworm
Turkish: piliç çevirme -> chicken translation

chicken translation by bollooo December 29, 2019

License Plate Translation

When someone spots a license plate that is either consists of a standard format or vanity plate & tries to decipher what it could translate to.

To kill time while I am driving, I like to find license plates that I can translate into acronym definition or determine what the douchebag was trying to define, I call it License Plate Translation.

I saw GOOD BFD & figured it may have meant, Good Big Fucking Dick or perhaps GOOD Bad Food Diet... although both are almost as lame.

License Plate Translation by GlazeHer June 30, 2016

Expecto Patronum (Actual Translation)

1 A spell in Harry Potter that scares away dementors, best used when you have a happy memory in your head
2 Not Joking. Expecto Patronum is a Latin word, and, can you guess what it is? In English it is, "I await a Guardian"

1: Harry: Expecto Patronum!

Ron: Wow, Harry, that was brilliant!
2: Jim: Expecto Patronum!
Latin Dude who knows English: You await a guardian?!(expecto patronum (actual translation))
Jim: WHATT???
Latin Dude: Expecto Patronum...oh harry potter..
Jim: i..await..a..guardian????....

Expecto Patronum (Actual Translation) by doodoodaequann April 8, 2019

Galantir

A group of people, typically women, searching through someone’s digital footprint in order to find more information about that person.

Susie wasn’t sure if her new Hinge match was a creep, so she assembled Galantir and they found out he used to post slurs on gaming forums.

Galantir by Ge-sus September 22, 2026

Word of the Day on September 23, 2026

murderhobo

In a tabletop game, a murderhobo is a player who murders NPCs indiscriminately. This is normally derogatory, referring to a player who totally ignores quests, dialog, backstory, trade, world building etc.

The term is most common with Dungeons and Dragons, but it can be applied to most RPGs where the player is allowed to kill most quest-giving NPCs and NPC traders. E.g. Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Divinity original sin.

DM: The sad little orphan girl tugs at Steve's trenchcoat to get his attention, and ask for help saving her pet dog from...
Steve: I'd like to roll a strength check against strangling the orphan.
Dave: I call dibs on the dog.
DM: You murderhobos disgust me.

murderhobo by Loup&S September 9, 2021

Word of the Day on September 22, 2026

Whale

In sales terms, a whale is a prospect that is significantly larger than an organization’s average customer.

Whales are large and extremely difficult to close. Due to their immense size, they are highly sought-after.

A whale is typically identified at first by a whale hunter on the sales team, but often requires cross-discipline participation in order to close; this includes assistance from operations, engineering, creative, client success, and business development teams.

"Shit...the sales director chewed me out on the sales call this morning. He's totally pissed that I have nothing in my pipeline. I've been focused on this one whale for so long that I haven't had time to prospect for normal-sized deals."

Whale by FQ_GFY February 3, 2020

Word of the Day on September 21, 2026

Concrete cowboy

A guy who thinks he's a country kinda guy, but in reality lives a comfortable city / suburban life.

Eugene: Look at that dude in the cowboy hat!
Todd: He's just a concrete cowboy.

Concrete cowboy by EugeneJohnson42000 March 16, 2024

Word of the Day on September 20, 2026

hobo loko

any hard liquor that is cheap & potent.. eg. relska, popov, potters, evan williams, kamchatka, fireball, rumpleminze, southern comfort, everclear

hey let's get a drink of that?

go ahead
*takes drink* ugh wtf is that?

everclear & bepsi
fucking hobo loko eeessshh

hobo loko by d i z k o 2 0 8 September 14, 2026

Word of the Day on September 19, 2026

God Shot

A chance happening with profound meaning, an unexpected blessing, a "sign".

Dr. Drew on Celebrity Rehab said "All of a sudden what had been just another Hollywood proposal became for him an unexpected blessing, an opportunity for growth. In drug recovery language, that's called a "God shot."

God Shot by Imogen1564 February 25, 2011

Word of the Day on September 18, 2026