Une saccade + Tic Talk: Let’s talk about tics (did you know “Tourettes” is named after a Frenchman?)

Our bustling port here in La Ciotat. Today we're talking about a word we share with the French. A tic is "a frequent usually unconscious quirk of behavior or speech" (Merriam-Webster). Read my story and then share your own experiences in the comments. Merci! TODAY’S WORD: une saccade  : jerk, twitch (movement) saccader (verb): to tremble, shake, jerk A saccade is also a rapid movement … Continue reading Une saccade + Tic Talk: Let’s talk about tics (did you know “Tourettes” is named after a Frenchman?)

Bilingual post: Le Coton-tige + a French doctor’s thoughts on cleaning your ears

Spectacular views from every window, a charming, private courtyard, comfortable spacious rooms, and air-conditioned bedrooms make Maison des Pèlerins very inviting all year round. View this rental property. Don't put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear. Ne mettez jamais rien de plus petit que votre coude dans votre oreille. Don't miss the rest of this post…and thanks for sharing it with a friend … Continue reading Bilingual post: Le Coton-tige + a French doctor’s thoughts on cleaning your ears

Pictures from Grignan + an emergency visit to the vet–and the French word “epillet”

 Sweet 16! Today, September 18th, is Jackie's birthday and we've had chocolate cake for breakfast and look forward to Chinese food for dinner. (Meantime she's begun another day at fashion school. But after our dog's recent drama, and Jackie's hands-on response, I think she'd make a great veterinarian! Read on, in today's French infused story column…. un épillet (ay-pee-leh)     : foxtail or grass … Continue reading Pictures from Grignan + an emergency visit to the vet–and the French word “epillet”

French Listening Skills

Thanks to French Word-A-Day readers, we have a treasure trove of colorful ideas and tips on how to improve our French listening skills.  Merci beaucoup for your helpful responses after Rob wrote in with the following question: I was wondering if anyone has recommendations for a way for me to build my French listening skills? I am improving in being able to decipher written French, … Continue reading French Listening Skills

Percer & How to say earrings in French

NEW! Don't miss Jean-Marc's new podcast–hear his most recent column in French & English: http://a-la-recherche-du-vin.typepad.com percer (pehr-say) verb  : to make an opening, a hole; to pierce, to drill Proverb:  L'eau douce gouttant sur la pierre dure finit par la percer.  Fresh water dripping on hard rock ends up piercing it. A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse Jean-Marc took Jackie to the … Continue reading Percer & How to say earrings in French