Two translations exist for the French word racaille (f.): scum and dregs. Although both are used in derogatory language, they actually mean different things. Dregs (collective plural) are “the remnants of a liquid left in a container, together with any sediment or grounds,” whereas scum is “a layer of dirt or froth on the surface of a liquid” (New Oxford American Dictionary). Both are used, sadly, in translating Nicholas Sarkozy’s comment on the recent (and still on-going) riot of Paris suburbs.

lukhnos :: Nov.10.2005 :: opinion :: 3 Comments »