[GSlob]

As "Faux pas"? Grossly faux, of course. [But then, it is French, and not particularly colloquial] - I would be doing this translation either verbatim, or would use a substitution by explanatory phrase, like "tactlessly creating an embarrassing situation". The closest expression coming to mind would be "He should be the last person to speak of it...", but that might be more specific than the context requires.

[struwwelpeter]

Russian is picturesque, but how does 'a house on a rope' transmit the idea of an accidental social misstep?

Must... buy... more... reference books!

Or troll ICQ more.

[struwwelpeter]

I also had to do an article by this one editorialist who used rhymes from Galich. I think you mentioned him once. How exactly would this translate:

Ehpizod 1

"Nachem vot ehdak: pyat' zaychat reshili exat' v Tver'.
A v dver' stuchat, a v dver' stuchat - poka ne v ehtu dver'."


Ehpizod 2

"Na vole sneg, na kukhne chad, vsya komnata v dymu,
a v dver' stuchat, a v dver' stuchat, na ehtot raz - k nemu."

Which I took to mean:

Episode 1: Let's start thus: 5 hares decided to travel to Tver. But they knock at the door, but they knock at the door - for now not at that door.


Episode 2

"There is snow on the ox, soot in the kitchen, the whole room is smoky, but they knock at the door, but they knock at the door - this time to him.

WHAT THE HECK IS THIS SUPPOSED TO MEAN????!!!