What does "the large print giveth and the small print taketh away" means?

Hello everyone,

This is my first question to this group. I'm translating an financial text book from english to my language. Now I've got a sentence which I can't make understand its real meaning. That is "the large print giveth and the small print taketh away." There is no words "giveth" and "taketh away" in my all dictionaries. Could someone help to answer me please?

Thank you very much

Reply to
fast8555
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you book sounds like it will be a fine translation that captures all the subtleties. i wish to read your translation of shakespeare.

Reply to
mrs. eliza humperdink

wrote

The phrase means, after you see the words "FREE!!!!", look for the small print with the exceptions, exclusions, fees, penalties and fines for not following their rules to the letter.

"Giveth" means give to you.

"Taketh away" means - will cost you something.

How you determine to best translate that to your language will reflect upon the book sales.

Reply to
Paul Thomas, CPA

it means you better not plagarize my book! i know where you live, and my lawyers know how to use the fine print to sue your ass.

Reply to
mrs. eliza humperdink

giveth = gives taketh = takes

The 'th' on end of those words is there to confuse people for whom english is not their first language.

So, "the large print gives, and the small print takes away." means that a document ususally displays all the positive points in large easy to read text, and all the negative points in the fine/small print that's hard to read, so not many people bother to read it before signing the document. :-)

The meaning of the phrase is a reminder to be aware of contracts, and always make the effort to read the fine print to understand the negative aspects of the document.

All the best with your translation,

Mark

Reply to
Mark

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