Bizarre French Expressions: April
It’s time to release your inner Camemberts; yes, time to unleash your very worst French accents: It’s April’s bizarre French expressions.
This week, whether it'd be your non-plussed partners, your reluctant family members, or your even more confused children, no one will be safe from your niche knowledge of la langue de Molière.
By the way, I would love nothing more than to hear you attempt to pronounce these with your US/UK accents, so if you’re game, record yourself and post it as an answer to my note!
Now without further ado…
Bizarre French Expression of the Day
Dormir sur ses deux oreilles
Literal translation: To sleep on one’s two ears.
Meaning: To sleep like a log.
Example: “After beheading all the traitors, the king could finally sleep sur ses deux oreilles.”
Origins: Unknown. Some say it’s in opposition to ‘Ne dormir que d’un oeil,’ which means to sleep really lightly. It’s, of course, very odd, as unless one has a U-shaped pillow, or is an alien, it’s quite impossible to achieve.
Bizarre French Expression of the Day
Avoir le cul entre deux chaises
Literal translation: To have one’s arse between two chairs.
Meaning: To be pulled between two situations.
Example: “Max was torn between his desire to get the job, and the profound impulse to punch the interviewer. Max has le cul entre deux chaises.”
Origins: Fairly recent, quite familiar language. You will hear this in books or films, but never in the news for instance.
Bizarre French Expression of the Day
Taper l’incruste.
Literal translation: To hit the embedding.
Meaning: To turn up where you’re not invited.
Example: Like a relentless pop-up ad, Jerry managed to taper l’incruste at yet another barbecue.
Origins: This is current French slang, probably a few decades old.
Bizarre French Expression of the Day
Mal dans sa peau.
Literal translation: bad in one's skin
Meaning: Insecure, depressed.
Example: I don’t know how to help him, he is so mal dans sa peau…
Origins: I’ve always found this expression extremely touching, visual and poetic. I love the way it conveys that vague sense of unease one can feel when depression hits.
Bizarre French Expression of the Day
Vieille branche.
Literal translation: Old branch.
Meaning: Old pal.
Example: “Long time no see vieille branche!”
Origins: Originating in the 19th century, 'vieille branche' evolved from 'poteau' and 'pote,' terms for a loyal friend—a nod to a sturdy trunk. Like the trunk, the branch serves as a metaphor for enduring reliability.
Bizarre French Expression of the Day
Coûter la peau du cul.
Literal translation: To cost the arse’s skin.
Meaning: To cost an arm and a leg.
Example: “Have you seen Rosamund wedding gift list?! Everything cost la peau du cul!”
Origins: I think we can all agree that the area of skin that protects our arses is priceless, so it’s fairly straightforward to understand.
I hope you enjoyed this batch, I had some fun putting it together and imagining your pronouncing some of these to some most impressed French acquaintance.
If you liked it, let me know in the comments, if you absolutely hated it, also let me know in the comments, as it will help the post to trend.
Cheers! x
Bizarre French Expressions: March
Harness your most appalling French accents and get ready to horrify your French friends: it’s time for a recap of the past four weeks’ weirdest French expressions! 🇫🇷 🥖 En garde!
Bizarre French Expressions: February
Harness your worst gallic accent and get ready to impress (or horrify) your French friends: it’s time for a recap of the past four weeks’ weirdest French expressions! 🇫🇷 🥖 En garde! Also since technology never ceases to amaze, you’ll find recordings for pronunciation this time! 21st century indeed.
Bizarre French Expressions: January
Harness your worst gallic accent and get ready to impress (or horrify) your French friends: it’s time for a recap of the past four weeks’ weirdest French expressions! 🇫🇷 🥖 En garde! Broyer du noir. Literal translation: To crush some dark. Meaning:
Is there a French expression corresponding to “take the bait?” Because no way will I submit my hard-R, Midwestern-accented, French-fry French.
I absolutely love it!!! Now I just need to get together with some of my old French branches. Too bad a plane ticket to France costs the skin of an arse these days.