Не валяй дурака

[devinshire.livejournal.com]

Is there a better way to translate "валять дурака" to English than "to play the fool"? In some of the contexts I've heard this, "to play the fool" doesn't seem like the most appropriate translation. Help?

Comments

[simonff.livejournal.com]

"To bullshit" is pretty close, I think. (Meaning "to behave outrageously", not "to make stuff up".)

[devinshire.livejournal.com]

Okay! That helps a lot. Thanks! :)

[nah-nah.livejournal.com]

Sometimes it is used as "kidding"

[http://users.livejournal.com/_teemon_/]

"Не валяй дурака" = "Don't try to make me think u're fool, I know you aren't".

Ex. "Не валяй дурака, ты знаешь, о чем я говорю" = "don't валяй дурака, you know what I am talking about".

"валять дурака" = (literally) to drag a stupid guy = (not so literally) to pretend being a fool.

also "валять ваньку" = to drag Ivan. Same meaning.

[poluzhivago.livejournal.com]

to fool around

[osanova.livejournal.com]

'quit beating around the bush' is a possible translation in some cases