Socks on stage, taking a bow in front of the curtains. I have always been a sucker for whimsy. I love French architecture and adore the building blocks of language…
manger ses mots (mahn-zhay-say-moh)
: to speak inarticulately, to mumble
Aha! and you thought manger ses mots (to eat one's words) meant to admit you were wrong. Relax! You're thinking of the English idiom. The French one has a very different meaning. Both, however, paint a colorful scene in the mind's eye. More expressions imagées in today's column, below.
A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse
The day I quit believing the lie that I was a bad student I fell in love with the French language. I could now relax and absorb all the lessons floating around me–and all the words, too. Idioms were a new and delightful discovery! Expressions such as revenons à nos moutons and faire du lèche-vitrines took hold of my soul, bubbling up through me in delight and possibility.
Certain colloquialisms were so full of quirky imagery. They took me beyond the classroom–to see and perceive the world around me in a new and light-hearted way. That the French referred to window shopping as "licking windows" (or "window licking"–either way is funny!) taught me they had a wonderful sense of humor and a refreshing down-to-earthness behind their mysterious exteriors. The self-depreciating, humane, and humble side of the French is especially apparent in their turns of phrase.
"Elle a des oursins dans la poche," a French friend whispers, and I'm no longer intimidated by the bombshell at the party; instead I'm amused by the new saying I've just learned ("to have sea urchins in one's pocket" = to be a cheapskate). That woman may be a knock-out… but it turns out she's a cheapskate! Tee-hee! The two images are funny (and heartening) when joined together.
Though I still put the French high up on a pedestal, I can now pose my ladder beside it and climb up to reach their outstretched hands, joining them in this language tango. "Etre aux petits oignons?" they say, spinning me round and round. "Don't be fooled. We're not perfect! We're just as goofy and clumsy as the rest of the world. We don't take ourselves as seriously as you might think!"
As I fell in love with the French language, getting cozy with the lingo, a funny thing happened: I developed a new appreciation for l'anglais. Suddenly, all the English idioms that once flew off the tip of my tongue–now projected themselves across the technicolor screen of my mind. How colorful English was, too! I'd never quite seen it this way before!
Having developed a theory that the French have a word for everything, and that their expressions are the liveliest, I've come to discover that some idioms are much more interesting in English than in French. Here are just a few examples, you can add your own in the comments box which follows:
Between you and me and the gatepost – There's something adorable about this English expression–yet it translates to hum-drum boring in French: soit dit entre nous = just between us. (You mean that's it? Don't they have a more charming match for this one? At the very least, can't we have a word-for-word equivalent: C'est entre toi et moi et le montant de porte?)
Kiss and Fly (Name of airport drop off zone)
I was taking family to the airport when I noticed the sign above the temporary parking curb. "Kiss and Fly"–how delightful! …And what a let down to discover the French translation (noted just beneath the sign): Dépose Minute.
To Get One's Knickers in a Twist (To get flustered, agitated)
Personally I don't use this expression (I find the "Keep your hair on!" expression just as funny). Sorry if the "knickers" idiom offends anyone–but you've got to admit that it is one of the more colorful expressions we have in English! Let's see if the French translation does it justice (checking my dictionary now…)
…and the equivalent is (dot-dot-dot) s'emporter. Ba dump bump! To fly off in a rage doesn't quite cut it. Although "to get into a tizzy" is kind of funny! How about we use that one?
* * *
Your turn to share your favorite English expressions–the more colorful the better. Are some expressions funnier in English–or, if we search deeply enough, can we find a just-as-humorous French equivalent?
French Vocabulary
revenons à nos moutons = let's get back to the topic
faire du lèche-vitrines = to go window shopping
être aux petits oignons = to be perfect
l'anglais = english
Chapeau! or hats off to you for working on your French a little each day. Please share today's post with a friend who might enjoy the same.
Photo from 2008. With Mr Farjon, "The Plant Whisperer".
With an approach that is as charming as it is practical, Espinasse shares her story through the everyday French words and phrases that never seem to make it to American classrooms. Book blurb by Simon and Schuster
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Here’s one I heard in the mid-west describing someone who is hard to please: They wouldn’t be happy if you hung them with a new rope. What fun to read everyone’s posts!
Here’s one I heard in the mid-west describing someone who is hard to please: They wouldn’t be happy if you hung them with a new rope. What fun to read everyone’s posts!
Favorite idioms:
British English:
You look like a wet weekend.= You look down in the mouth, depressed.
She can talk for England. = She’s a chatterbox.
Southern U.S.:
He/she/it’s as useless as tits on a boar hog.= He/she/it is worthless.
She had a real hissy fit.= She was really upset.
Spanish:
Un beso sin bigote es como un huevo sin sal.= A kiss without a mustache is like an egg without salt! (This was fine when my husband had a mustache!) (No English equivalent.)
Amities,
Barbara P. (California)
Favorite idioms:
British English:
You look like a wet weekend.= You look down in the mouth, depressed.
She can talk for England. = She’s a chatterbox.
Southern U.S.:
He/she/it’s as useless as tits on a boar hog.= He/she/it is worthless.
She had a real hissy fit.= She was really upset.
Spanish:
Un beso sin bigote es como un huevo sin sal.= A kiss without a mustache is like an egg without salt! (This was fine when my husband had a mustache!) (No English equivalent.)
Amities,
Barbara P. (California)
Our dear Kristi,
Another beautifully written and wonderful post(as always!)
I loved learning so many different expressions but also enjoyed all the comments!
THANK YOU!
Love, Natalia XO
Our dear Kristi,
Another beautifully written and wonderful post(as always!)
I loved learning so many different expressions but also enjoyed all the comments!
THANK YOU!
Love, Natalia XO
By the hair of the dog that bit you.
By the hair of the dog that bit you.
The one that sticks out from my high school French classes was my teacher’s favorite: Avec la bouche fermé, on n’attrappe pas de mouches. in other words, be smart and shut up! (Pardon any errors…I never saw it written, just heard it spoken DAILY!)
The one that sticks out from my high school French classes was my teacher’s favorite: Avec la bouche fermé, on n’attrappe pas de mouches. in other words, be smart and shut up! (Pardon any errors…I never saw it written, just heard it spoken DAILY!)
I don’t mean to “let the cat out of the bag”, but your posts always have information that I find to be “handy as a pocket on a shirt”.
And while one should never buy a “pig in a poke” and “let sleeping dogs lie”, “once in a blue moon” you just have to “take a leap of faith” and do “whatever floats your boat”.
Well, it’s time for me to “hit the hay”, so I’ll stop “bending your ear” and “put a sock in it”. 🙂
Great post, Kristin! I wish I could illustrate these little idioms to go along with this comment! 😀
I don’t mean to “let the cat out of the bag”, but your posts always have information that I find to be “handy as a pocket on a shirt”.
And while one should never buy a “pig in a poke” and “let sleeping dogs lie”, “once in a blue moon” you just have to “take a leap of faith” and do “whatever floats your boat”.
Well, it’s time for me to “hit the hay”, so I’ll stop “bending your ear” and “put a sock in it”. 🙂
Great post, Kristin! I wish I could illustrate these little idioms to go along with this comment! 😀
Another few English (vs. American) idioms:
She’s daft as a brush (more common, I think, in the north of England)
I laughed like a drain
He hasn’t got a brass farthing (he’s poor — that’s one for anyone who remembers pre-decimal currency)
He can talk the hind leg off a donkey
She’s up the spout (= she’s pregnant)
Then it all went pear shaped (= went wrong)
Another few English (vs. American) idioms:
She’s daft as a brush (more common, I think, in the north of England)
I laughed like a drain
He hasn’t got a brass farthing (he’s poor — that’s one for anyone who remembers pre-decimal currency)
He can talk the hind leg off a donkey
She’s up the spout (= she’s pregnant)
Then it all went pear shaped (= went wrong)
LOL and thank you Sherrill. Love it!
LOL and thank you Sherrill. Love it!
Fabulous post, Kristi, and I love all the comments–I’ve learned a lot! we say “undies in a bunch”–close to “bundle” as someone said. You chose my favorite French ones, and I’ll add: “Donner la langue au chat” (to give your tongue to the cat) to mean, “I give up” (on guessing a riddle, for instance). Merci!
Fabulous post, Kristi, and I love all the comments–I’ve learned a lot! we say “undies in a bunch”–close to “bundle” as someone said. You chose my favorite French ones, and I’ll add: “Donner la langue au chat” (to give your tongue to the cat) to mean, “I give up” (on guessing a riddle, for instance). Merci!
I always liked: “When Shit Hits the Fan”…look out!” hehehe 🙂
When a reaction was about to happen; either something bad or funny was about to happen.
Or how about: “I’ll keep an eye out for ya”
Someone letting you know that they are looking out for you in a good way.
I always liked: “When Shit Hits the Fan”…look out!” hehehe 🙂
When a reaction was about to happen; either something bad or funny was about to happen.
Or how about: “I’ll keep an eye out for ya”
Someone letting you know that they are looking out for you in a good way.
My French students loved producing visuals of French idioms. “Il pleut comme une vache qui pisse” was a favorite drawing for middle-school students, bien sur! I love “faire le mur” – to sneak out – because you can easily imagine see the kid against the wall heading for the door
and “Va te faire cuire un oeuf” – equivalent to “go jump in the lake.”
My French students loved producing visuals of French idioms. “Il pleut comme une vache qui pisse” was a favorite drawing for middle-school students, bien sur! I love “faire le mur” – to sneak out – because you can easily imagine see the kid against the wall heading for the door
and “Va te faire cuire un oeuf” – equivalent to “go jump in the lake.”
Hi Kristin,
I have always heard this one being from Georgia….”Don’t get your panties in a wad” – “Don’t beat around the bush” – my dad used to say “Not in Your Life”
Hi Kristin,
I have always heard this one being from Georgia….”Don’t get your panties in a wad” – “Don’t beat around the bush” – my dad used to say “Not in Your Life”
Well, I’ll be a monkey’s uncle! Never saw so many idioms before. Great fun. When I was in a French class a few years ago, a man had a book of idioms, which we all enjoyed hearing.
Well, I’ll be a monkey’s uncle! Never saw so many idioms before. Great fun. When I was in a French class a few years ago, a man had a book of idioms, which we all enjoyed hearing.
A NOTE TO ALL FWAD READERS: Last night I sat down and read Blossoming in Provence yet again. What a beautiful book it is. I do hope all of you have it sitting in your bookshelves. If you don’t, I urge you to add this wonderful expression of Kristin’s talent and effort to your home. She gives so much of herself to all of us and I hope you will take a moment to reward her efforts by purchasing her book and treating yourself to a truly excellent view of life through her eyes. Thank you, Kristin, for continuing to share yourself with all of us. Aloha!
A NOTE TO ALL FWAD READERS: Last night I sat down and read Blossoming in Provence yet again. What a beautiful book it is. I do hope all of you have it sitting in your bookshelves. If you don’t, I urge you to add this wonderful expression of Kristin’s talent and effort to your home. She gives so much of herself to all of us and I hope you will take a moment to reward her efforts by purchasing her book and treating yourself to a truly excellent view of life through her eyes. Thank you, Kristin, for continuing to share yourself with all of us. Aloha!
Hi Kristi ! This was a truly interesting post and I enjoyed reading all the comments. This is a French idiomatic expression I like and that could be used to translate “fly off in a rage”: prendre la mouche. We also say : “quelle mouche l’a piqué?” (= which fly stung him?) = pourquoi s’est-il mis en colère brusquement et sans raison apparente?
I notice your readers are very fond of “il pleut comme vache qui pisse” (no article though before “vache”!) I can suggest two similar but less trivial expressions : “il pleut des cordes” and “il pleut à verse”.
To translate “she talks her head off”, we might also say : c’est un vrai moulin à paroles !
A sight for sore eyes = (welcome) ça réchauffait le coeur; (derogatory) c’était à pleurer !
A shot in the arm = un coup de fouet / un stimulant.
I am a native French speaker and would like to share with you two of my favourite sayings “on n’apprend pas aux vieux singes à faire la grimace” = don’t teach your grandmother to suck eggs; donner de la confiture aux cochons = to throw pearls before swine.
Hi Kristi ! This was a truly interesting post and I enjoyed reading all the comments. This is a French idiomatic expression I like and that could be used to translate “fly off in a rage”: prendre la mouche. We also say : “quelle mouche l’a piqué?” (= which fly stung him?) = pourquoi s’est-il mis en colère brusquement et sans raison apparente?
I notice your readers are very fond of “il pleut comme vache qui pisse” (no article though before “vache”!) I can suggest two similar but less trivial expressions : “il pleut des cordes” and “il pleut à verse”.
To translate “she talks her head off”, we might also say : c’est un vrai moulin à paroles !
A sight for sore eyes = (welcome) ça réchauffait le coeur; (derogatory) c’était à pleurer !
A shot in the arm = un coup de fouet / un stimulant.
I am a native French speaker and would like to share with you two of my favourite sayings “on n’apprend pas aux vieux singes à faire la grimace” = don’t teach your grandmother to suck eggs; donner de la confiture aux cochons = to throw pearls before swine.
Love the emails! I am returning to French study after being away for many years. One of my favorite idioms to describe the appearance of someone is to say that he/she “looks like they’ve been drug through a knothole.”
Love the emails! I am returning to French study after being away for many years. One of my favorite idioms to describe the appearance of someone is to say that he/she “looks like they’ve been drug through a knothole.”
Between you and me etc: entre quatre yeux (or) entre quat’z yeux
Never: Quand les poules auront des dents (when hens will have teeth)
Be wrong: Se mettre le doight dans l’oeil (jusqu’au coude) (Tu put your finger in your eye – up to the elbow)
Jacqueline
Between you and me etc: entre quatre yeux (or) entre quat’z yeux
Never: Quand les poules auront des dents (when hens will have teeth)
Be wrong: Se mettre le doight dans l’oeil (jusqu’au coude) (Tu put your finger in your eye – up to the elbow)
Jacqueline
Aaaand another one:
Péter plus haut que son cul (not very polite) To fart higher than you b-m
Aaaand another one:
Péter plus haut que son cul (not very polite) To fart higher than you b-m