Please see my #546964.  With your high fluency in Spanish, can you
supply an expression in Spanish that means something like "boot
inspector" and turn it into a phrase that could be used as an
insulting nickname for someone (male) who's very short?

I want to use this in a piece of fiction; I am not planning on calling
anyone this myself.

For bonus points, could you translate it into Catalan?

Gracias,
Archae0pteryx

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Clarification of Question by archae0pteryx-ga on 26 Jul 2005 21:37 PDT

In Serenata's absence, any researcher is welcome to answer this.

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Request for Question Clarification by crabcakes-ga on 26 Jul 2005 21:44 PDT

My friends in Guadalajara, Mexico, use the word "zotaco" (accent on
the 'a') as a derogatory word for a short man. "Chaparrito" is a
friendlier word for a short man.

Hope this helps,
Crabcakes

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Clarification of Question by archae0pteryx-ga on 26 Jul 2005 23:53 PDT

Hi, Crabcakes,

Well, I'd prefer a translation of my phrase so I know exactly what it
means, and for other reasons.  "Zotaco" *might* do, depending on its
actual literal meaning.  But slang can be so regional, too--I'm
looking for Spain-Spanish, if I didn't say so already on this page
(sorry).

Thanks,
Archae0pteryx

Tryx,

Serenata is no longer a Google Answers Researcher. You may want to
cancel this question.

~Pink

Thanks, Pink.  I was looking at the list of researchers who replied to
my (Apteryx's) question about researchers' languages - #353567.  I
knew that would be useful one day!

Since you've been kind enough to let me know that Serenata isn't
around any more, I guess maybe I'll just open it up.  I was hoping to
get the attention of some researcher by a direct request since my
recent success rate has been so terrible.  And I've found out that the
subject line isn't one of the parameters I can change, alas.

Tryx

Unfortunately boot inspector translates to inspector de bota which
might not be what you are looking for.
Some terms that might work:
reposapiés (footrest)
la rodilla alto (knee high)
calzador de tobillo (ankle biter)

Scovel,

Ankle biter!  I love it!!  A thousand thanks.  That will do perfectly,
for reasons that go beyond my question.

Did you think that expression up, or is it a known insult?  And is
this the Spanish of Spain, without the regionalism of other
Spanish-speaking countries?

Please give me a literal, exact translation of both nouns so I don't
mix them up.  If there are any connotations, please mention those
also.

Since you're not a researcher, I can't offer you a bonus, but would
you know how to put this expression into Catalan?

Muchas gracias,
Archae0pteryx

Hmmm, I know 'mordero' as biter. Calzador is 'shoehorn'!

 La rodilla alta means a high knee, not knee high. 'El es tan alto
como la rodilla would mean 'He is knee high".

Renacuajo is 'runt'

You could also use 'duende' - elf, or   enano - dwarf

Minúsculo - very small, tiny

Beware online translaters!

You are right crabcakes 
mordero de tobillo
mordero= biter
tobillo= ankle
I spoke with my stepmother who says this would be correct (she is
originally from Northern Mexico but has spent about 30 years in the
US). I should have spoken with her previously but was relying on my
own knowledge and this handy dictionary- lol.

Anyway- ankle biter is another name for a child. It is not so much an
insult but as to imply someone is small and being a nuisance.

Oh, dear.  Well, then, if it is an affectionate nickname (sort of like
our "rug rats"), I can't use it.  I have a character who is extremely
short, gnomelike, and he is called an insulting name that angers him
very much.  So it can't be something considered cute.  It has to be
mean-spirited and even cruel.  "Ankle biter" would suit his character,
but it won't do if it makes the reader smile instead of feeling his
indignation.  The character, by the way, is not a good guy, so I don't
want a lot of sympathy for him, but it has to be obvious why he hates
the name.

You guys are on a roll, though.  Thanks for helping!  Care to go further?

Yes, Crabcakes, I don't dare trust automatic translators for a phrase
where I need a correct expression of gender and also relationship
between terms.  That is why I am asking here instead of imagining I
can put this together by myself.  I really need someone who knows the
language.  Again, a regional Mexican expression doesn't help me unless
it is the same in Spain.

Archae0pteryx

Renacuajo might work for lack of a better word. It is accepted in
Spain too. (I originally learned Castilian Spanish as a child, but now
use Venezuelan and Mexican terms)

Renacuajo means shrimp (as in a small person) or runt.

Enano is dwarf in Spain, as it duende for troll, midget, elf.

Duende can be used for elf, troll, goblin

Don Nadie is a term for a nobody, a worthless person. Don is a "title"
quite often used in Spain for 'Sir'. This literally means Sir Nobody .

Don Maldito sounds like a great name for this gnome. It sounds very
good in Spanish.... meaning Sir Dammed, Sir Cursed

No alcanza  means short, as in does not reach... Don Noalcanza would
also be a great name in Spanish.

Not all names translate exactly, and you need to "feel" the meaning in
Spanish. Don Noalcanza is great IMHO

I can't help you with the Catalan version.