I found "henchman" as a translation. Isn't there anything more colorful? 
âme damnée
- Thread starter Nil-the-Frogg
- Start date
??
I don't think I know what an "âme damnée" is, but it sounds like a "soul that is damned (to hell)". It must be an idiom ?
I don't think I know what an "âme damnée" is, but it sounds like a "soul that is damned (to hell)". It must be an idiom ?
It is. It's a bit like when you sell your soul to the devil, except that in this case, you're linked with your boss (like a henchman to his mobster's "godfather").
Is it understandable?
Ok... I'm not so sure the word here is henchman then, because it seems to me that the "âme damnée" has no choice in the matter whereas a henchman does.
I can't think of any similar idiom in English. I'd probably say "He owns me" or "He owns my soul" or "My soul belongs to him".
EDIT: One idiom (although I'm not sure it's exactly what you're looking for but I"ll give it a shot) is "I'm his pawn" (which means, like in a game of chess, "he can move me wherever he wants to")
EDIT 2: Expanding on the "pawn" idea, how about "I'm a pawn in his evil/twisted/sinister game/plot/plan"
There's an equality in "partner in crime" though...
Thanks. I might take on of your expressions RocketGirl or simply forge my own awkward one (I'll just have to try to make it understandable in context)
(I'll just have to try to make it understandable in context)
How about combining them ? I don't really know your context, but what about "That bastard
owns me. I'm nothing but a pawn in this twisted game he's playing".
Or maybe a simpler approach. Would "I'm his slave" work ?
Wouldn't do, I'm afraid. In this case, a very charismatic female "godmother" owns a brutal sadistic henchman who is capable of anything to please her. He is not exactly "forced" to obey, but the result is pretty much the same.
How about combining them ? I don't really know your context, but what about "That bastard
Ok then, how about "He's her manservant" ? It's sort of funny and can definitely be construed as sexy...
Yeah, that's a good one too edwingill.
You both have a good point here. RocketGirl for the sexy part and edwingill because this suggests the bestiality of the character... Interesting. :nods:
I like the 'pawn' suggestion, and I think henchman is pretty good too. But you could also perhaps use minion.
Oh I didn't see the new information on context, now I don't think any of the suggestions in my last post fit. But 'manservant' seems good.
I wouldn't take manservant in this context. It does not imply a relationship of power in the sexual sense where he is willing to do anything.
Nil-The-Frogg said :" In this case, a very charismatic female "godmother" owns a brutal sadistic henchman who is capable of anything to please her. He is not exactly "forced" to obey, but the result is pretty much the same."
Manservant would be the guy that brings her mail in and polishes her leather boots perhaps. Hardly any risk of becoming an âme damnée for that
Nil-The-Frogg said :" In this case, a very charismatic female "godmother" owns a brutal sadistic henchman who is capable of anything to please her. He is not exactly "forced" to obey, but the result is pretty much the same."
Manservant would be the guy that brings her mail in and polishes her leather boots perhaps. Hardly any risk of becoming an âme damnée for that
In literary English you can just use "âme damnée". Google "the âme damnée" or "his âme damnée" for examples.
In French books and comics the term "âme damnée" comes across as someone who acts as an advisor to a, usually, evil person, the villain of the piece, who relies on his advice. The "âme damnée" is subordinate to a master but acts with a certain amount of authority of his own.
Examples would be Darth Vader as the "âme damnée" of the Emperor; or perhaps Goebbels was the same to Hitler.
Suitable English terms could be "henchman" or "stooge", maybe even "advisor" or "associate", though I think that the term "damnée" is supposed to convey that the parties involved are the villains.
Examples would be Darth Vader as the "âme damnée" of the Emperor; or perhaps Goebbels was the same to Hitler.
Suitable English terms could be "henchman" or "stooge", maybe even "advisor" or "associate", though I think that the term "damnée" is supposed to convey that the parties involved are the villains.
i like "tool" (# 20). Or "catspaw/cat's paw"?
