October 2010

ENGLISH IDIOM OF THE MONTH:
„A poison-pen letter“

 

MEANING

This is a letter which someone sends to another person without giving the writers details. The letter contains very bad information about the person it is sent to.

TRANSLATION

Ein anonymer Brief.
(wörtlich: „ein Gift-Feder Brief“)

ORIGIN

Poison pen letters are often found in famous detective stories. (e.g. Agatha Christie, Stieg Larsson).