Today's crime story (or tale of your choice…) takes place here, at our local park in La Ciotat….
French Word of the Day: un juron
: swearword, curse word, cuss
lâcher des jurons = to use strong language
un chapelet de jurons = a string of expletives
U.S. Taxes for Worldly Americans–A fascinating topic if you're an expat or wish to become one. Click here for additional info i.e. ever heard about the unlucky Accidental American? Find out more in the book!)
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse
Often, all it takes to come up with a story is one good line. Take, for example, the following snippet overheard at the park earlier today:
Allez les enfants. Plus de gros mots. Je filme pour votre maman.
Let me translate that one for you: Come on, kids, no more cussing. I'm filming for your mom! With a gem like this–spoken by a camera-wielding grand-mère to two little tikes on bikes–you could pen an essay about public vs. private personas. But who wants to get all philosophical at this time of the day (it's evening now, and I've got to put my hens to bed).
Then again, with a bit of one-sided dialogue like the above, a short piece could be written about cussing in France, specifically, all the little gosses who do it. You do hear the terms merde and putain issuing right out of the mouths of babes! If you don't believe me, spend a day at the beach, sit beside some stressed-out sand-castle engineers. Or go to the city park, right before l'heure de goûter when everyone's as edgy as a Parisian waiter. But back to badmouthed kids…
Allez les enfants. Plus de gros mots. Je filme pour votre maman…
Squeezing that line like an orange, you could eke out an article on grandparents who care for their grandchildren (I see so many at the park on Wednesdays). But this is a French word journal, not a bilingual abstract in Droit et Société. Besides, it would require research and, well, it's time to think about dinner.
One thing's sure, in literature…the need for a jumping off point! The aforementioned snippet, or bribe, could serve in an argumentative piece about how the French are more sloppy than you think they are (conversely we get etiquette from them… From the Online Etymology Dictionary:
etiquette (n.) 1750, from French étiquette "prescribed behavior," from Old French estiquette "label, ticket"
Oh well, we don't want to label anybody (least of which a let-rules-slide septuagénaire!). All we want to do today is marvel, for a moment, at so many possibilities in writing and in life and, especially, to take note of one grandmother's gusto as she lovingly, creatively goes with the flow….
FRENCH VOCABULARY
l'enfant = child
le gros mot = swear word
la maman = mom, mommy
la grand-mère = grandmother
la/la gosse =kid
merde = sh….
putain = f…
bribe = snippet
l'heure de goûter = snack time
septuagénaire = person in their seventies, septuagenarian
You're likely to hear some colorful jurons at a pétanque tournament…and they're not saying saperlipopette!
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I thought “putain” meant “prostitute”, not “f”??
Hi Kristi,
Love learning swear words in other languages! What is the sculpture in the first photo doing? I see the last one is “La Pétanque”
Bon Weekend!
Why does “plus de gros mots” translate to “NO MORE swear words” when plus = more? Is it understood that she means “pas plus”?
Juron is a new word for me! A very cute story. And I hope your hens slept well after they were tucked into bed.
The statue is titled L’Arroseur Arrosé after a character in a film. (La Ciotat is known as the cradle of cinema. More about that character here: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/L'Arroseur_Arrosé )
Hi, Maryn. The French sometimes leaves off the “ne” in ne plus. For example: “We are not going to cuss anymore.” On ne va plus dire de gros mots. Or simply, “Plus de gros mots!”
Hi, David, That is correct. But to the French…it means so much more…
https://youtu.be/GSeaDQ6sPs0
Saperlipopette! Kristi, I laughed out loud at the reminder of that word from you. And then I clicked on the link to also be reminded of when I first learned it … again, from you. Wow! Time flies! And through all these years you have never ceased to entertain, educate and encourage contemplation. Mille mercis et bon weekend!
I love the lens through which you look at the world! Engagement and attention. lovely. and ‘squeezing that line like an orange’ is inspired. so very evocative. perfect!
Kristin, this is an off-the-subject question, but we haven’t heard much about Jules lately. Is she alright? Is she still with you? Love to hear of your escapades with her. She’s such a wise and beautiful woman.
Kristi,
In La Ciotat- I love to watch the Pétanque players. So many of them still play with cigarettes hanging out of the mouths. The ages vary and women have joined the ranks, although they might have been playing longer than I realize.
As we ate lunch across the street from the beach, we watched the 9-12 year olds play on the exercise equipment. The girls were so much more sophisticated than the boys and were already strutting their stuff. Girls develop so much sooner than boys.
Kathleen
Susie, Thanks for asking about Jules. She is doing really good, and looking for her new digs! (We are renovating the studio on the side of our house. Mom lives in in in 3 weeks. She is thrilled. Meantime, she is sleeping in Jackie’s room, dreaming up her new interior. There will be lots of plants, books, and hopefully new paintings.
Whoops. I meant “looking forward to moving into her new digs”.
I remember the first time you taught us Saperlipopette. I don’t think I’ve heard any French person use it yet. I’ve heard merde often enough, but not the other word (although I’ve seen it in plenty of graffiti, so I’ll have to start listening more closely — to children as well as the adults.
I’m glad to hear Jules is doing well. Bon week-end.
Greetings from Phoenix. I was happy to see that your mom is doing well and enjoying her life with you. Not sure what this summer will bring but if we are in the area we look forward to seeing you again. Happy New Year, Elaine
Our dear Kristi,
So happy for Jules and her new digs!
To be there with her family!
Most of all,dear Kristi,sending hugs to YOU for being such a loving and caring daughter!
I can attest(first hand) that having a parent(or in law) living with you is not a walk in the park.
Just something that,in retrospect as well as now,you are so glad you did(!)
Thank you,too,for”Plus de gros mots”!Alas,I still slip back into old habits,and that has become my ongoing battle cry!
Blessings and love
Natalia. xo
Hi Kristi!
I’ve been reading your wonderful blog for a few years now and still thoroughly enjoy your posts – thank you for giving a glimpse into your life in France! I’ve been under the impression that the French “merde” is used as frequently and casually as “darn” in English. It also seems like the French use curse words more commonly and start using them regularly at a younger age, but I could be wrong. If that’s the case though, I wonder why that is – if les Français just like using them more or if it’s more widely accepted. What do you think?
Bonne journée!
Jenna
Thank you, Gwyn!
Have never understood why bad words titillate the masses. It’s a given that in any blue comedy routine that the audience will titter at a bad word like they never hear them or speak them in real life. The world is full of adults who never matured. Don’t tell the young’uns that there are lots of stunted adults who, unfortunately, vote for other stunted adults to run the world.
Salut David! Je suis d’accord, putain signifie wh…. mais beaucoup des français disent ça pour merde. How goes the touring trade?
Hi Kristi,
Thank you for all your wonderful writing! I have been reading your page for maybe 15 years or more (c’est possible, ca?). I feel I get a little renewed taste of France each time. I loved le paysan (photo and text)! Perfect!
About putain, which I have always known to mean prostitute… there is also a lot of use of the diminutive “pute” which I gather means the same.
My real question is can I donate to your site in any other way than Paypal? Long story of complication with PayPal which makes it hard for me to use. How else can I contribute?
Thanks again for you and your words!!
Thanks for your answer!
Yes I have come across these ‘gros mots’ before I heard another phrase from a neighbour once “fou le campe” which I believe means ‘b….r off !! Useful if bothered by persistent people wanting money in car parks at Super Markets
Hi, Kristi! I need your help, if you can. I received your latest entry today, January 14 — and then I lost it! Is it possible to have it re-sent? I loved the cow-in-the-field and the beautiful backpack, and now it’s gone! Merci beaucoup!
Thanks Kristi! 🙂 I am hoping we can meet up when we are in Provence in June/July.
We will!