The word 流石{さすが} is a bit tough to convey sometimes and I came across a
sentence as I started reading a light novel:

> 作り話に使う名前は流石に選べよ

I'll try to give a bit of context. Someone (let's call him A) comes up to the
main protagonist (I'll use MP) of the story and tells him that something bad
will happen and he brings up a name which shocks MP due to the history he has
with the person wit that name. MP goes on to say that he is often confronted
with people who exaggerate their tales when they come seeking his help.

> MP: 嘘をつくのはいい。だが。。。作り話に使う名前は流石に選べよ

He says this to A, and I would like to know, if MP saying: "If you're lying,
it's fine, but...Choose appropriate names (or a name that would be expected?)
for a made-up story."

MP seemed angry hearing that name which A brought up, so was MP trying to
convey that, "Hey if you're coming here with a lie, then choose better names
to use in your story." (Why use THAT NAME, huh? Wastes the effort of your
little story to be taken/considered as a lie). This is what I feel MP could be
saying, but I'm not so sure...

I don't know if I'm understanding right, the 流石に part gives me a tough time,
so any interpretation you might have could be useful. Thank you!
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-12-21T07:28:41.320
73586
2019-12-23T01:32:46.703
2019-12-23T01:32:46.703
22175
question
translation word-choice
Interpreting 流石に
> MP: 嘘{うそ}をつくのはいい。だが。。。作{つく}り話{ばなし}に使{つか}う名前{なまえ}は流石{さすが}に選{えら}べよ

In this sentence, 「流石に」 is used to **generally accept the antecedent and
follow it with a contradictory remark about (part of) it** , which is why 「だが」
is a key word here.

Antecedent: 「嘘をつくのはいい」

Contradictory remark: 「名前は流石に選べよ」

In English, 「流石に」 in this usage would be close to " **be that as it may** " or
" **however** " in meaning.

I must also state that the particle 「に」 is of importance. It cannot be
replaced by a 「は」 for this meaning/usage. 「流石 **は** 」 means a completely
different thing -- " **as expected** ", which many J-learners seem to be
familiar with these days.

See definition #6 in
[Weblio和英辞典](https://ejje.weblio.jp/content/%E6%B5%81%E7%9F%B3), which reads:

> 6 （=に） （＝さはさりながら、とは言うものの）still; however

In conclusion, I think your understanding and interpretation of the sentence
in question is quite good.
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-12-21T11:27:15.483
73588
2019-12-21T11:27:15.483
73586
answer