Latest news with #Linternaute
Local France
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Local France
French Phrase of the Day: Sur un coup de tête
Why do I need to know sur un coup de tête? Because sometimes this is the best way to make a decision. What does it mean? Sur un coup de tête - roughly pronounced sir uhn koo duh teht - translates as 'on a headbutt', the violent physical action that some Brits may know as a 'Glasgow kiss'. For instance, if you were paying attention to French sports in 2006, you might have seen headlines about the famous Coup de tête de Zidane (the Zidane headbutt). But when used with ' sur ' it means to do something spontaneously or without much reflection. Most of the time, you would use this expression to describe something done on a whim. For example, you might say Il s'est inscrit au marathon sur un coup de tête (He signed up for the marathon on a whim). In terms of the origins of sur un coup de tête - according to Linternaute , it has to do with the contrast between the words coup and tête . People use their heads to think and reflect, while coup describes a quick, punctual action (like a kick), so making a decision sur un coup de tête would mean doing something without thinking of the consequences. Advertisement It is similar to the French expression sur le coup , which means 'in the moment' or 'at the time'. If you are looking for a synonym, though, you can opt for either impulsivement (impulsively) or sans réflechir (without thinking). Use it like this Il y a 30 ans, j'ai décidé de commencer à peindre sur un coup de tête. Je ne l'ai jamais regretté. - I decided to start painting on a whim 30 years ago, and I have never regretted it. Sur un coup de tête, il achète des billets de train pour rendre visite à son pote à Bordeaux. - On a whim, he bought train tickets to visit his friend in Bordeaux.
Local France
14-05-2025
- General
- Local France
French Word of the Day: Snober
Why do I need to know snober? Because once they become incorporated into the French language, anglicisms take on their own new meanings. What does it mean? Snober - roughly pronounced snow-bay - is an anglicism - the French language has taken the English word 'snob' and made it into a verb. In French, snober is conjugated like a normal -ER verb. It means 'to snub someone' or show disdain for them, usually by ignoring them or behaving in a superior way. You might also see it used to describe a celebrity or public figure who has been obviously passed over, perhaps for a prize or accolade. For example, you might say: Je l'ai vu au restaurant mais il m'a snobée. Il ne m'a même pas dit bonjour (I saw him at the restaurant but he ignored me. He did not even say hello). In contrast, the word snob can be used as a noun and an adjective. In French, you can say that a person is a snob , meaning they have expensive or educated tastes and by extension may treat those outside of their social milieu with disdain - this meaning is exactly the same as in English. Advertisement But in French you can also describe a behaviour or a location as snob . For example, you could say c'est un restaurant ultra snob, mais quand même très délicieux (It is a very pretentious restaurant, but still very delicious). The French language also has the word snobisme , defined by Linternaute as the 'Admiration for all that is fashionable in circles considered to be distinguished.' Variations of the English word 'snob' have been in the French language for several decades, at least dating back to Marcel Proust. As for the word's origin in English, there are two competing ideas. One theory dates back to the Roman Empire when emperors sent their children to schools reserved for the elite. To distinguish between the noble and common children, a teacher might write ' ( sine nobilitate ) next to the latter's name. The other theory is that the word was used in 18th century England to describe a shoemaker or his apprentice. It was later adopted by students at Cambridge University to create a distinction between those who came from poor backgrounds, and later those who did not attend university. Use it like this Je suis étonné qu'il m'ait snobé. On a passé des heures à discuter à la fête la semaine dernière. - I'm surprised he ignored me. We spent hours talking at the party last week. L'actrice a été snobée. Elle n'a même pas été nominée pour le prix. - The actress was snubbed. She was not even nominated for the award. L'événement de mode était assez snob, mais je m'y attendais. - The fashion event was rather stuck-up, but I was expecting that.
Local France
07-05-2025
- Local France
French Phrase of the Day: Mettre entre parenthèses
Why do I need to know mettre entre parenthèses? Because if you have ever had to focus on something other than your passion, then you might have a use for this expression. What does it mean? Mettre entre parenthèses - roughly pronounced meh-truh ahn-truh pah-rahn-tez - translates precisely as 'to put between parentheses'. While you might use this when editing someone's writing, you are more likely to hear it in a different, non-grammatical context. It also means 'to pause' or 'to put on hold'. You might hear a celebrity or sports star use this phrase when talking about pursuing a different path. In this sense, you might also see the phrase mettre sa carrière entre parenthèses (put your career on hold). A synonym would be faire un pause. Advertisement This expression might also come up in the French press if a political policy or plan has been sidelined. In terms of the origins of mettre entre parenthèses , it is what you might have expected. As a type of punctuation, parentheses can be used to either add more detail or to show something as an afterthought. According to Linternaute , the expression was born from the idea that parentheses 'isolate one element in a sentence'. In a figurative sense, this evokes the idea that something has become isolated, or set aside, from one's life. Use it like this Ma grand-mère a dû mettre entre parenthèses son rêve de devenir médecin. À l'époque, les femmes devaient rester à la maison. - My grandmother had to put her dream of becoming a doctor on hold. In those days, women had to stay at home. Pendant le confinement, j'ai mis entre parenthèses ma passion pour la randonnée. Ce n'était pas le moment de voyager. - During the lockdown, I put aside my love for hiking. It was not the time to travel.
Local France
28-04-2025
- General
- Local France
French Phrase of the Day: Au bout du rouleau
Why do I need to know au bout du rouleau? Because if you're already exhausted at the start of the week, this phrase might come in handy. What does it mean? Au bout du rouleau - roughly pronounced oh boo do roo-low - directly translates as 'at the end of the roll'. You would conjugate it as être (to be) au bout du rouleau. It is very similar to describing yourself 'at the end of your rope' or 'at the end of my tether' in English. Basically, it means to be completely exhausted or burnt out. Advertisement The phrase dates back to the Middle Ages. The original word - role - was a roll of parchment, usually a circular stick made of ivory or boxwood. The word over time went on to describe other objects, with a small roll of parchment being a rollet . In theatre, an actor who won a small, rather insignificant role might have said they have a rollet (meaning just a few lines). According to Linternaute , the word rouleau (originally role de papier ) first appeared as a reference to paper coin wrappers, which continue to be used today to count and organise money. From there, the idea of 'being at the end of the roll' was born, as a reference to being out of money or having used up all of your coins. Today, the meaning is the same, though it has extended to be symbolic too - you can feel (emotionally or physically) au bout du rouleau. Use it like this Je suis déjà au bout du rouleau. Je ne peux pas m'imaginer devoir faire encore six heures de route. - I'm already at the end of my rope. I can't imagine having to drive another six hours. J'ai dû demander du temps pour moi. J'étais au bout du rouleau. - I had to ask for some time to myself. I was at the end of my tether.
