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Enzo ''The Drake'' meaning?

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by 246tasman, Aug 22, 2008.

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  1. 246tasman

    246tasman Formula 3

    Jun 21, 2007
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    Will Tomkins
    #1 246tasman, Aug 22, 2008
    Enzo was referred to as 'The Drake', which sounds like a bad translation to me: Enzo the Duck???
    What is the real meaning?
     
  2. wise3

    wise3 Formula Junior

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    Ward Orndoff
    #2 wise3, Aug 22, 2008
    That's a new one for me.

    Back in the days when he was racing Alfas and running Scuderia Ferrari, he was referred to as Cavaliere (knight). Basically an honorific term, like "san" in Japanese.

    Later he was referred as Commendatore (literally "commander," using the on-line Engligh-Italian dictionary). Again, a term of respect. But from what I've read, he preferred "Engineer."

    If you put "drake" into the on-line English-Italian dictionary, you get "maschio in Italian, which translates back into English as "manly" or "alpha male" -- again, basically a term of respect similar to cavaliere or commendatore. I'm not familiar with that meaning of drake, but I'm no English major.
     
  3. Modeler

    Modeler F1 Veteran

    May 19, 2008
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    a.n.other
    #3 Modeler, Aug 23, 2008
    Always understood his "the Drake" title as a barnyard reference to being the boss cocky.
    As a nickname goes its short on affection and any respect present is grudging. Not what his friends chose to call him.
     
  4. till.a.fischer

    till.a.fischer Formula Junior

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    #4 till.a.fischer, Aug 23, 2008
    I always understood drake as a mutation of the italian word "drago" wich means dragon....

    After a short research I found the mythologic word "firedrake", a fire spitting dragon.

    I would put my money on this meaning - any more ideas?

    Regards, Till
     
  5. 246tasman

    246tasman Formula 3

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    #5 246tasman, Aug 23, 2008
    Last edited: Aug 23, 2008
    In Italian he's referred to as 'Il Drake', and not as far as I've seen 'Il Drago'. 'Drago' would make more sense. Are you suggesting 'Drake' is a sort of slang or modification of 'Drago'?

    Surely some native Italian speaker can enlighten us?
     
  6. GuyIncognito

    GuyIncognito Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    Jun 30, 2007
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    #6 GuyIncognito, Aug 23, 2008
    google translation...doesn't help much:

    On August 14, 1988 Enzo Ferrari died. It seems yesterday, but have already spent 20 years ... dreams, the career of Drake is impossible
     
  7. RMV

    RMV F1 Veteran

    Apr 11, 2002
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    #7 RMV, Aug 23, 2008
    Ya gotta love the Drake!
     
  8. Papa G

    Papa G Formula 3

    Dec 29, 2003
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    #8 Papa G, Aug 23, 2008
    Love the Drake! :D
     
  9. 246tasman

    246tasman Formula 3

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    #9 246tasman, Aug 24, 2008
    Well, I searched some more on Google and found this on an Italian sport forum in the F1 section:

    'deriva da " Drake " un importante corsaro inglese che si era distinto x la sua forza e determinazione nel combattere durante le battaglie e quindi enzo ferrari era chiamato così "drago" è la traduzione della parola, per la sua determinazione nel portare avanti l'azienda, e perchè era capace d intuire sempre quello che era meglio x la squadra.. '

    So it seems the nickname derives from Sir Francis Drake becuase of his fighting qualities, and if I understand right because of the etymology of Drago & Dragon.
    Drake also means Dragon & Serpent in English as someone m,entioned.
     
  10. BIGHORN

    BIGHORN In Memoriam

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    #10 BIGHORN, Aug 24, 2008
    Drake = dragon
     
  11. VisualHomage

    VisualHomage F1 Veteran

    Aug 30, 2006
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    San Antonio
    #11 VisualHomage, Aug 24, 2008
    broken Babblefish translation of the above Italian quote:

    ' it derives from " Drake " an English important corsaro that x had been distinguished its force and determination in fighting during the battles and therefore enzo ferrari was called thus " drago" it is the translation of the word, for its determination in carrying ahead l' company, and because he was able d to always intuire what x were better the square. '
     

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