English Language & Usage Asked by whtyger on November 29, 2020
I’m translating titles of old black-and-white movie “Hard Luck” directed by Buster Keaton and met a confusing nickname. Here’s the title from the film, describing a bandit on the rampage:
Lizard Lip Luke -- also out hunting.
And another, poster on the wall:
$5000 reward for the capture of "Lizard Lip Luke",
bandit and train robber.
This Luke is played by Joe Roberts, burly man, who has nothing common with lizard. Maybe it is some idiom? Or maybe this nickname emphasizes dry lips or thin lips of the character? But there’s ‘lip’, not ‘lips’ in context.
Or it is just ‘lip of lizard’ and nothing more?
It is common in cowboy story telling to have nick names for villains in order to build fear of, or hatred toward them. This serves the plot to make the conflict more severe and the victory sweeter or more satisfying. Alliteration is often more important that any kind of accuracy. Simple examples, Slippery Sam and Dead-eye Duke and come to mind.
Answered by Elliot on November 29, 2020
As Elliot said, alliteration is more important than anything here- for example in Spanish the bad guy could be "Lucas Labio de Lagarto" or "Lucas Labio de Lagartija". Whatever language you are translating to, definitely his nickname is just Luke lip of lizard, as you suggested.
Answered by Conrado on November 29, 2020
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