WORD OF THE DAY un cappronounced: kahpa cape; figuratively, a threshold or turning point franchir un cap — to reach a milestone; to move into a new stage of life UN…DEUX…TROIS… By Jacqueline Espinasse If you went to kindergarten in France, chances are you played a game called Un, deux, trois, soleil ! All you need is a wall and a few friends. One child stands … Continue reading Un cap: Jackie’s Big News—and a French Childhood Game
WORD OF THE DAYle frelon (fruh-lohn)hornet RELATED EXPRESSIONSUn nid de frelons — Literally “a hornet’s nest.” Figuratively, a volatile situation in which interference may provoke anger or conflict.Les frelons de la littérature — Literally “the hornets of literature.” An old literary expression describing envious critics who disparage other writers’ work while stealing from it. A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse For our … Continue reading Frelon: An Anniversary with Uninvited Guests
LA FOULE = MOB I was on my way to the gym yesterday when I saw some police officers near the local high school. Three flics, to be exact. I wondered why they were there, but asking might take their attention off of something imminent. Just what, exactly, might be imminent? I noticed batons and holstered guns. The street was as quiet as it usually … Continue reading Student Riots & La Foule
UNE DURE À CUIRE une dure à cuire (ewn dewr ah kweer) : a tough cookie; a tough woman “Je suis une dure à cuire,” a dit Maman après sa mésaventure.“I’m a toughy,” Mom said after her mishap. A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse I wasn’t sure whether the scream was real or part of a dream. Then I heard Mom calling … Continue reading “I Have a Little Problem…”: Mom, a Giant Mirror, and a Tough Cookie
LA MAÎTRESSE (may-tress) a female teacher, especially in preschool or primary school IS IT TEACHING OR BROADWAY? by Jacqueline Espinasse Last Friday, I turned twenty-nine. I never thought I’d get here, or more accurately, I never really thought about what it would mean to turn twenty-nine. As a little girl, a teenager, and even into my early twenties, I could only ever picture myself up to … Continue reading Maîtresse: When Teaching Feels Like Broadway
UN ANGEange (ahnzh) : an angel Bien avant de descendre sur terre, tu étais déjà notre petit ange.Long before you came down to earth, you were already our little angel. Useful expressions:un ange gardien = a guardian angelêtre un ange = to be an angel; to be wonderfully kindun ange passe = an angel is passing; said when conversation suddenly falls silentdormir comme un ange … Continue reading ANGE: Do Our Children Choose Us?
TODAY’S WORD: LA BONBONNE pronounced “bohn-BON” Une bonbonne is a large, rounded glass bottle used for storing or transporting wine and other liquids; a demijohn or carboy. It is also known as une dame-jeanne, a name derived from the older Occitan damajano, possibly tracing back to Damghan, a Persian city once renowned for its glassmaking. The charming story that it was named after Queen Jeanne … Continue reading A Baby, A Bottle, and a Secret to a Happy Marriage
TODAY’S WORD: la rentrée : the return to school, work, and everyday life after the summer holidays PRONUNCIATION: lah rahn-TRAY EXAMPLE SENTENCE: La rentrée des classes est arrivée.The new school year has begun. LA RENTRÉE DES CLASSES by Jacqueline Espinasse For some odd reason, the month of September has always felt like new beginnings. Back when I was a little girl, it was the start of … Continue reading La Rentrée: It’s not just for kids!
Mom and the Lumière Brothers, pioneers of cinema who filmed some of their earliest scenes—and their own mother—here in La Ciotat. Today’s little film: Mom and me, arriving for her hospital appointment on the wrong day! A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse I’m calling this an “extra edition,” though I’m not sure whether or not it’s a good idea to post today. … Continue reading The “double méprise” or how we ended up at the hospital two weeks early
Je ne dois pas tarder, Jean-Marc said while we finished up our coffee in bed. It was a gentle reminder he needed to get going. He had grapes to press! But his words also assured me he had a moment for our morning meditation–the 5-minute reading for couples we’ve been doing for years. But this morning, for those few precious moments, I had another idea… … Continue reading Jean-Marc meets Dolly: A Tribute from France to an American Angel
