British english to American english translation request

[Casey_in_Carolina]

Just a little niggling thing that's bothering me at the moment. I'm reading a book on crimes, some of them from the British Isles. In one account, a man interviewed after a crime spree committed by a woman, refers to her and states:

"She kept going spare...."


I have absolutely no clue what this means, and would love to hear a translation from folk on the side of the pond it originated from. From the context, it seems to convey some sense of worry, or stress, or something of that sort, but neither of those seem to fit comfortably.

Thanks for the assistance,


Casey

[ardchoille]

I'm not on that side of the pond, however:

spare (spâr)
v. spared, spar·ing, spares
v.tr.
1. To refrain from treating harshly; treat mercifully or leniently.
2. To refrain from harming or destroying.
3. To save or relieve from experiencing or doing (something): spared herself the trouble of going.
4. To hold back from; withhold or avoid: spared no expense for the celebration.
5. To use with restraint: Don't spare the mustard.
6. To give or grant out of one's resources; afford: Can you spare ten minutes?

From http://www.thefreedictionary.com/going+spare

Is this correct?

[Casey_in_Carolina]

Is this correct?

I don't believe so. As I inferred, I think it's a usage peculiar to the British Isles. The speaker seems to be saying that the woman is in an excessive state of worry, and that then, "she keeps going spare.." whatever that means. It almost seems like he's referring to an 'episode' of some sort. Perhaps some sort of fit or something. I just don't know.....


Casey

[pdcorlis]

In this case I think it means going insane.

[Jock Scot]

In this case I think it means going insane.

Nearly!More like insanely angry.For example, if some one drove into your new car----imagine how you would react!That's right, you would go spare! Before anyone asks, no I don't know where the expression came from.

[Pleater]

If - for instance, a boy was to find himself with a few minutes to wait before the family sets off to meet some relative the parents want to impress, the boy is dressed in his best clothes, and has been scrubbed and polished to within an inch of his life, so the boy wanders out into the back garden and in a few minutes has managed to fall over whilst carrying a bucket full of mud to the total detremement of his apperance, and reappears inside the house covered in dirt, blood and with his clothes torn - then his mother would go spare.

It is usually a combination of rage and frustration.

Anne the Pleater

[Jock Scot]

My dear Pleater,how very apt your story is and it illustrates the point exactly! Oh,and I know that scenario,well.

[Casey_in_Carolina]

Thanks so much!! That fits exactly within the context of what I'm reading, and now it makes so much more sense.

The example you give helps bring it to mind perfectly. Almost as if I was watching a short movie.


Once again, thanks so much!!!


Casey

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I believe the word is a pronounced and spelled variation of the word spar meaning (among other things) to bandy words about in argument: to hotly dispute. The examples with the bucket of mud/new car really convey the texture of the word when used in context.

[ccga3359]

As a bilingual (English-English & Canadian-English with a fair amount of knowledge in American-English) I often have to translate family conversations for my trouble & strife (Cockney for wife...). However I've never heard of this particular term. it, being possible from a different region than I. A more common usage would be "going mental". Not common in N.A. granted, but would be easier to understand. You could try reading the book out loud in a thick English accent i do this when I read one of Pour1Malt's posts written in Scots. Then again the family thinks I'm going spare when I'm taking to my computer in a thick Scottish brogue