November 11th: Armistice Day. The French are celebrating the end of World War I and enjoying a day off from work. Normally, le travail* resumes Friday, but many people are doing "le pont" (faire le pont) or "making the bridge" (taking tomorrow off, to make a long weekend). The next word goes out Monday. See you then! * le travail (m) = work la guerre … Continue reading la guerre
A surprise for you in today's column: une recette! Today's recipe couldn't have come at a better time as our family, along with a circle of French friends, will celebrate Thanksgiving here on the 20th (I know, early) and I have been looking for a light first course to serve. I used to think soup was as easy to understand as, well, French. It was … Continue reading Cream of Chestnut soup
imprimerie (an-pree-mree) noun, feminine 1. printing works, printing house, printery 2. printing Also:écrire en caractères/lettres d’imprimerie = to write in block capitalsL’invention de l’imprimerie est le plus grand événement de l’histoire. / The invention of printing is the biggest event in history. –Victor Hugo A Day in a French Life…On Sunday morning, my 8-year-old son Max and I were the first to wake. Normally, Max … Continue reading imprimerie
From a word we had just a few weeks back (une feuille) comes today’s verb "feuilleter." A word close to any reader’s heart. For those of you who enjoy "flipping through" books or magazines, I want to share some news that has me slightly "flipping" out. (As in, dancing atop all 26 dictionaries, singing "C’est prêt! It’s ready!") Drumroll… New! from Four Frogs Press: "Words … Continue reading feuilleter
un klaxon (klak-sohn) noun, masculine 1. a horn And the verb klaxonner (klak-soh-nay) = to hoot or sound one's horn, to honk Expression:klaxonner quelqu'un = to hoot at someone; to give somebody a hoot Citation du JourLa plupart des automobiles du monde marchent à l'essence. Les autos françaises marchent au klaxon. Surtout quand elles sont arrêtées. Most of the automobiles in this world run on … Continue reading un klaxon
Today's column is in French and English and is written by Barbara (who tells me, regarding yesterday's story, that the French do have an equivalent expression for "bird bath"…. "Une toilette de chat"–"a cat's lick" means to: "se laver d'une façon succinte, au lavabo par exemple," or to wash oneself hastily, at the sink, for example.) mordre (mohr-druh) verb1. to bite Expressions:se mordre les lèvres … Continue reading mordre
une douche (doosh) noun, feminine1. a shower Also:les douches = shower room(s) …………………………Expressions: une douche froide = a letdown, a terrible disappointmentprendre une douche = to take a showerpasser à la douche = to go for a showerprendre une bonne douche = to get soakedune douche écossaise = an alternately hot and cold shower ………………………Citation du Jour: Une bonne colère vaut mieux qu’une bonne douche. … Continue reading la douche
un oiseau (wah-zo) noun, masculine 1. a bird 2. a character (informal) Also: un oiseau chanteur = a songbird un oiseau moqueur = a mocking bird un oiseau de paradis = a bird of paradise un oiseau de proie = a bird of prey un oiseau mouche (un colibris) = a hummingbird …………………….. Expressions un vilain oiseau = an unpleasant person un drôle d’oiseau = … Continue reading un oiseau
