Calque (Noun)
Meaning
An expression introduced into one language by translating it from another language; "`superman' is a calque for the German `Ubermensch'".
Classification
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.
Examples
- The word "skyscraper" is a calque from the German "Wolkenkratzer", literally "cloud scraper".
- The term "flea market" is a calque of the French "marché aux puces", which literally means "market of the fleas".
- The phrase "brain drain" is a calque from the French "fuite des cerveaux", which literally means "flight of the brains".
- The word "hot dog" is a calque from the German "dachshund sausage", which was later shortened to "hot dog".
- The term "smog" is a calque from the German "Smog", which is a combination of "smoke" and "fog".