Flies the colours! Annoncer la couleur!

Click on the photograph for a larger view

Autumn, in New England, is an enchanting season offering not only sunny days with temperatures in the 70s degrees but also a gorgeous festival of colors.
This spectacular show, travelling from North to South has just reached its peak, here in Massachusetts, displaying a vibrant and flaming palette of yellow, gold, orange and reds.

L'automne en Nouvelle Angleterre est une saison délicieuse qui offre non seulement des journées ensoleillées, avec des températures dans les 20 degrés mais aussi un festival somptueux de couleurs.
Ce show spectaculaire qui se déplace du nord au sud vient juste d'atteindre son apogée ici dans le Massachusetts, déployant une palette de couleurs vibrantes et flamboyantes de jaunes, d'or, d'orange et de rouges.

French Expression in context / Expression française en contexte

Color idioms are widely used in language, giving the most pictorial and vivid image of the situation: White, black, blue, brown, green, red, yellow, pink, grey, golden are the main colors. Here are a few expressions using them: "En voir de toutes les couleurs " (lit: to see all colors!). To go through a hard time! "Annoncer la couleur" (lit: to tell the colours) To lay one's card on the table. This French expression dating from the 1930's comes from the card games, when the player must declare his intention to lay a color as a trump. "Rire jaune" : ( lit: to laugh yellow"): To give a hollow laugh. The yellow color carries a strong symbolic meaning which has to be traced back to the Middle-Ages. In medieval times, colors were present everywhere, however, people had a strong revulsion for plain yellow. In the Christian iconography yellow was associated with cowardliness (Judas was often depicted wearing yellow clothes), adultery (yellow the color of cuckolds). Yellow was the color of heretics and forgers. It also evoked illness (icterus disease). In the 17th century, the expression "rire jaune" designated a deceitful, betrayal laugh. Want some more? Broyer du noir: (lit: To crush black)= To be depressed - Voir la vie en rose: (lit: to see life in pink)= t0 see the beauty in life. Envoyer quelqu'un sur les roses: (lit: to send s.o on roses)= To tell s.owhere to get off. passer une nuit blanche: (lit: to spend a white night)= to spend a sleepless night. avoir une peur bleue: (lit: to have a bleue fear)= to have a bad scare. être fleur bleue: (lit: to be a blue flower)= to be naïvely sentimental. se mettre au vert: (lit: to put oneself at green)= To rest in the countryside. voir rouge: to see red. être marron: (lit : to be brown): to be fooled. être gris: (lit: to be grey): to be tipsy. etc... Which one did you prefer? Bonne semaine à tous!

To cost the eyes from one's head! Coûter les yeux de la tête! :-)

An elevated highway used to be at this very same place... $15 billion later, this monumental construction project, known as the "Big Dig" has come to an end this weekend, with the official celebration of the “Rose F. Kennedy Greenway”.
This attractive green corridor stretches from Chinatown to the Zakim Bridge and offers 1mile of parks and green place in the heart of Boston. More than 1,300 trees, various shrubs, perennials and groundcover have been planted along the greenway.
Click here to see the map of the walk.

Une autoroute surélevée se trouvait à cet endroit même... 15 milliards de dollars plus tard, ce projet monumental de travaux autoroutiers connu sous le nom “Big Dig » (gros trou), s'est terminé ce week-end avec la célébration officielle des « espaces verts Rose F Kennedy ».
Cette coulée verte attrayante, s'étire du quartier chinois jusqu'au pont Zakim et offre 2 kms de parcs et d’espaces verts en plein cœur de Boston.
Plus de 1.300 arbres, de buissons et de plantes vivaces ont été plantées tout du long.
Cliquez ici pour voir la carte de la promenade.

French Expression in context / Expression française en contexte

“ Coûter les yeux de la tête! " (lit: to cost the eyes from one's head!). To cost an arm and a leg ! Origin : This idiomatic expression appeared in the 19th century and may found its origin in the Middle-Ages with the veal. Indeed, at that time, veal was a symbol of wealth and regarded as the most delicious meat so much so that clergyman collected a tax called "le veau de dîme" (veal tithe). During the Renaissance until the end of the 18th century, a certain part of the veal, the veal's eyes, were considered as a supreme delicatessen and then very costly. For that reason, it can be safely assumed that the expression derivates from this culinary custom. And now, the equivalent colloquial expression is: "Cela coûte la peau des fesses!" (lit: it costs the skin off the bottom). “it cost an arm and a leg!” We don’t know where this figurative expression comes from. The fact is that there are many idioms in languages involving body parts. They have originated from everyday experience and therefore are quite relevant and effective. In the present case, some say that the expression could be related to the time when transport was by horse. Obviously riding horses for a long time means a lot of friction and stress on the buttocks. Needless to say that this anatomical part was precious then :-) Any better suggestion?

Having style! Avoir du chien!

As I was strolling around Boston, I came across this English bulldog recovering from an intense exercise (picture below...).
At first, his funny appearance with his wrinkled grouchy face and his massive disproportionate body caught the attention.
Then, his overly placid behavior with a tenacious stubbornness personality is hilarious.
Don't you think he has a great charm?


Alors que je me promenais dans Boston, je suis tombée sur ce bulldog anglais qui se remettait d'un exercice éreintant (voir la photo ci-dessus).
Son apparence physique amusante avec une tête toute plissée au regard ronchon, et un corps massif et disproportionné saute d’abord aux yeux.
Ensuite, c’est son comportement excessivement placide et sa personnalité tenace et obstinée qui est à mourir de rire.
Ne trouvez-vous pas qu'il a un charme fou?

French Expression in context / Expression française en contexte

The French language is rich in figurative expressions referring to animals. Due to the fact that the dog is associated to many different symbols and popular beliefs, there is a great deal of French idioms and proverbs related to "chien”. Most of them have a negative connotation and refer to a disdain, disparagement and are used almost as an insult: Nom d'un chien! (Name of a Dog!): For good sake Faire le chien couchant (to act like a crawling dog): to praise. Un temps de chien ! (a dog weather !) An awful weather Etre traité comme un chien: To be treated like a dog. Avoir un air de chien battu: (to have the look of a beaten dog): To have a hang-dog look Ce n'est pas fait pour les chiens: (it’s not made for dogs !) It's there to be used. Une chienne de vie ! A life’s dog. Etre d’une humeur de chien (to have a mood dog): To be in a foul mood Etre malade comme un chien ! (sick as a dog): To be really sick. Se regarder en chiens de faïence. (to look at each other like porcelain dogs): To glare at each other. Mourir comme un chien: (to die like a dog !): To die forsaken like a dog. Merci qui? Merci mon chien! (thank you my dog!). Thanks to whom? However a few expressions have somewhat a positive connotation. The one I am using here in my title is one of them: “Avoir du chien” (lit: to have dog). To have style, to be attractive. This expression dates from 1866 and back then, it was used for a woman to talk about her physical appeal in a sense of saucy.

"Having a little bicycle in one's head! " "Avoir un petit vélo dans la tête!":-)

Thousands of riders rolled out on the streets of Boston last Sunday, for the 4th annual "Hub On Wheels" .
This charitable organization raises money to help Boston students to get the skills and technology they need to succeed.
The riders choose 10, 30 or 50 miles route through Boston, starting and arriving at the City hall Plaza.
This program, making Boston’s largest city-sponsored sporting event, raised $50000 last year.

Des milliers de coureurs cyclistes se sont élancés dans les rues de Boston dimanche dernier, à l’occasion de la 4ieme course annuelle “ Hub on wheels» qui a eu lieu dimanche à Boston (surnommée "The Hub") .
Cette institution caritative soulève des fonds pour aider les étudiants de Boston à obtenir les outils et les formations technologiques nécessaires à leur réussite scolaire.
Les coureurs ont le choix de parcourir 16 km, 48 km ou bien 80 km avec comme de point de départ et d’arrivée l’esplanade de la mairie.
Ce programme, faisant de Boston le plus grand évènement sportif sponsorisé à l’intérieur d’une ville, a soulevé $50000 l’année dernière.

French Expression in context / Expression française en contexte

1. “ Avoir un petit vélo dans la tête !" (lit: Having a little bicycle in one's head!): To go crazy/ to have an obsession. The French word “vélo” is a short cut for “vélocipède”: “veloce” for “rapide" (velocity) and ped for “pied” (foot). This machine, invented in Germany by Baron Drais in 1818, was primarily a waking machine called “Draisienne”( Laufmaschine). Later in 1841, French inventor Pierre Michaux applied pedals to the front wheel and gave it the name of "vélocipède". The metaphor “avoir un petit vélo dans la tête », was introduced in the 60’s. We don’t know the origin. However, considering the success and strong enthusiasm for cycling in France at that time, it's easy to understand why it appeared in different French expressions as well. Then, let me introduce you to another funny one, very much in vogue back then: 2. "Pédaler dans la choucroute " : (lit: to pedal in the sauerkraut) To spin one’s wheels! "la choucroute" is a dish, originally from Germany, which became later part of the native cuisine of Alsace Lorraine region. In the old days, choucroute was made with chopped stripes of white cabbage placed in barrels macerating in brine and anchovy juices for several weeks. Thus, the French word "choucroute” derives from the German word “Sauerkraut” which literally means “sauer grass” (“herbe sure/aigre” in French). In the late 17th century, the Alsatian dialect used the word “Sûrkrût”. Through the intervention of phonetic mistakes, the word slowly evolved over the years. “sur” disappeared to be replaced by the French word“chou”(cabbage) and the word " krût" evolved into"crute" and later became “croute”. For the same reason explained above, the popularity of the sport of cycling in the 60's, is presumably the source of it. Also the reference to a dish makes it all more "real"... Now, do you get the picture of a rider pedaling in Sauerkraut? :-) --->Note that there is also another French metaphor which ends up to the same result: "Pédaler dans la semoule" (to pedal in the semoulina). Which one do you prefer?

It's all Greek to me! C'est du chinois pour moi :-)

Recognizable by its traditional temple roofs covered with tiles, the pagoda gate, surrounded by two lions, marks the entrance to the Chinatown District.

A welcome message is inscribed in gold Chinese characters in the middle of the gate, also called páilóu (牌樓) in Chinese.

The large pavement, designed by artist May Sun, displays a geometric pattern consisting of a square within a circle, which is an old symbol for Heaven and Earth in chinese philisophy. Also, in the middle (in grey and blue) you can see a long strip that depicts the Chinatown dictrict and the surrounding area up to the Boston waterfront.

Reconnaissable par ses toits traditionnels recouverts de tuiles, la porte en forme de pagode entourée de deux lions marque l'entrée du quartier chinois.

Un message de bienvenue, en caractères chinois dorés, est inscrit au milieu de la porte appelée páilóu (牌樓) en chinois.

Le dallage au sol, réalisé par l'artiste May Sun, révèle un motif géométrique constitué d’un carré à l'intérieur d’un cercle; symbole du paradis et de la terre, dans la philosophie chinoise. Vous pouvez distinguer aussi au milieu une longue bande (en gris et en bleu) représentant le quartier de Chinatown et les environs jusqu’au port de Boston.

French Expression in context / Expression française en contexte

1. “ C'est du chinois pour moi! " (lit: it's all chinese to me!). It's all Greek to me! This metaphor refers to complicated, unintelligible topics to understand. The other figurative expression "C'est de l'hébreu pour moi " (it's Hebrew to me) is occasionally heard . Not only French use this "chinese target" to mean something incomprehensible. For instance, - in Greek : Eínai kínezika jia ména; (It's Chinese to me") - in Russian: Это для меня китайская грамота. (It's Chinese writing!) - in Hungarian: Ez nekem kínai. (This is Chinese to me.) - in Dutch: Dat is Chinees voor mij . (This is Chinese to me.) German, Serbian, Czech refer to the Spanish language while Turkkish people refer to the French langage as an unintelligible, unfamiliar language! Originaly, the word"chinois" served to designate something mysterious, far-away and unknown. In addition, the structure of the language with its different dialects and its 13000 characters in the traditional form, reinforced that idea and thus, created the cliché "c'est du chinois" associated to complexity. In the same idea, the verb"chinoiser" (lit: to chinese), means to quibble, to split-hairs. When it was introduced in 1896 "chinoiser" meant "parler argot". And the word "argot" was related to "jargon". And this leads us to another expression: 2. "un casse-tête chinois" : a brain teaser. Since "un casse-tête" is a dilemna or a puzzle to solve, adding the adjective "chinois" looks like a pleonasm. In fact, it emphasizes the concept of difficulty. But, that's not it! To make it even stronger, French people also say "c'est un vrai un casse-tête chinois" (it's a real brain teaser). In other words: it's a pain in the neck! :-) Bonne journée!

Lap it up! "boire du petit-lait"

In a couple of hours many children and adults will enjoy ice cream at this emblematic place known as "The Hood Milk Bottle" next to the Boston Children Museum, along the Harbor Walk.

This all-wood 40-foot-high structure, which could hold about 50,000 gallons of milk, was built in 1934 by Arthur Gagner and served as a stand to sell homemade ice cream, next to his store, located in Taunton, Massachusetts.

Hood’s dairy (New England oldest and largest dairy Company) purchased the bottle in 1977 and after extensive renovations donated it the Children Museum.

The journey across Boston Harbor to ship the giant structure was dubbed as “The Great Bottle sail”. Click Click here to see the picture.

And if you want to see more geant milk bottles in the US, go visit this site .

Dans quelques heures, de nombreux enfants et adultes savoureront une glace dans cet endroit emblématique connu sous le nom de «The Hood Milk Bottle » (la bouteille de lait Hood), située à coté du Boston Children Museum (musée des enfants), le long de la promenade du port.

Cette structure tout en bois de 12 m de haut, qui pourrait contenir environ 189 270 litres de lait, fut construite en 1934 par Arthur Gagner et servait comme stand de vente de glaces, à coté de son magasin, situé à Taunton, dans le Massachusetts.

Hood (la plus ancienne et la plus grosse compagnie de produits laitiers de la Nouvelle Angleterre) la racheta en 1977 et après l’avoir restaurée en fit don au Children Museum.
Le transport en bateau à travers le port de Boston pour déplacer la structure géante fut surnommé « la traversée de la grande bouteille ». Cliquez ici pour la photo.
Et si vous voulez voir d'autres bouteilles de lait géantes aux Etats-Unis, allez sur ce site .

French Expression in context / Expression française en contexte

“ Boire du petit-lait! " (lit: to drink whey!). To lap it up ! Origin : This French expression appeared in the 16th century in the form of« avaler doux comme lait » (to drink/to swallow soft as milk) to describe people who enjoyed receiving praise avidly, in reference to the milk which evokes sweetness and pleasure. This figurative saying then became “boire du lait” (drink milk) to express delight. It also confers an affective connotation:"Le lait de la tendresse humaine" (The Milk of Human Kindness) Shakespeare. This is only in the beginning of the 20th century, that the descriptive adjective “petit” is added to reinforce the idea of exquisite contentment when savouring a situation. The “petit-lait” (whey) is supposed to give a sensation of freshness and smoothness.

Taking the plunge ! Se jeter à l’eau !

This resourceful young man is about "to take the plunge" into Upper Mystic Lake, a popular place for swimming, sailing and fishing located in the Northwestern suburbs of Boston.

However, Upper Mystic lake as well as Lower Mystic Lake, below, suffer from significant sewage bacteria, and are also constaminated by toxic chemicals.

This contamination dates back to the end of the 19th century when manufacturing industry dumped sulfuric acid into the Aberjona River which flows into the lake.

Later, in the 1970s, toxic manufacturing plants contributed again to extensive chemical contamination of heavy- metals.

Various studies have been performed showing a high concentration of arsenic and undetermined amounts of lead and chromium.

However, researchers have diverging opinions about the risks on the public health. Some are concerned about some possible health issues. Others argue that the concentration of arsenic is buried in the debris on the bottom of the lake, and so that it is safe for people to swim. Go figure...



Ce jeune homme ingénieux va "se jeter à l'eau" du Upper Mystic lake (lac supérieur), un endroit populaire pour nager, faire de la voile et pêcher, situé dans la banlieue nord de Boston.

Cependant, Upper Mystic Lake et Lower Mystic lake (lac inferieur) plus bas sont pollués par des bactéries provenant de l'évacuation des eaux usées, ainsi que par des produits chimiques toxiques.

Cette contamination remonte à la fin du 19ieme siècle quand les tanneries déversaient de l'acide sulfurique dans la rivière Aberjona qui se jette dans le lac.

Plus tard, dans les années 1980, des usines toxiques ont contribué une fois de plus à une contamination importante de divers métaux lourds.

Diverses études ont été réalisées montrant une concentration élevée d’arsenic et une quantité indéterminée de plomb et de chrome.

Cependant les chercheurs ont des points de vue divergents en ce qui concerne les risques sur la santé publique. Certains s’inquiètent des conséquences que cela pourrait avoir sur la santé. D’autres soutiennent que la concentration d’arsenic est ensevelie au fond du lac dans les débris et qu’elle est donc sans danger pour les nageurs.
Allez savoir!

French Expression in context / Expression française en contexte

1. “ Se jeter à l’eau !" (lit: to throw oneself in water!): To take the plunge. 2. "Tomber dans le lac " : (lit: to fall into the lake) To go on a fool's errand. Origin: Contrary to what one can think, the origin of the saying didn't refer to the body of water: lac (lake). Back to the 12th century, the saying was written with the word "lacs" (with an s at the end ) which designated a slipknot (un noeud coulant). The slipknot was used as a snare to capture game. It was pronounced (la) without the 'K' sound at the end (like in the word "lac"). Therefore "tomber dans le lac" meant "tomber dans le piège" (to fall into the trap). Later, in the 18th century, the word "lacs" went into disuse and gradually the pronunciation changed. The "c" was then pronounced which led to a confusion with the word "lac" (the body of water) and so the sense became different and the expression "tomber à l’eau" (to fall into the waer) took it over. The word "lacet" (lace/lacing) is a diminutive for the old word "lacs".

An elephant in a china store ! un éléphant dans un magasin de porcelaine!

Most schools have a mascot. The one of Tufts University is an elephant and precisely, the legendary Jumbo, from P.T. Barnum circus.
This giant elephant (the largest elephant known at the time) was captured in 1861 in Africa as a baby and shipped to Paris where he spent three years in the Jardin des Plantes. He then spent seventeen years in London.
In 1882 he was sold to the famous Barnum circus and soon became a big star attraction.
Unfortunately, on September 15, 1885, while on tour in Canada, he was hit by a freight train.

La plupart des écoles ont une mascotte. Celle de l’université de Tuft est un éléphant et plus exactement le légendaire Jumbo du cirque Barnum.
Cet éléphant géant (le plus gros connu dans le monde à cette époque) fut capturé, bébé, en 1861 et envoyé en France au jardin des plantes où il resta trois ans avant d'aller à Londres et y passa dix-sept ans.
En 1882, il fut vendu au célèbre cirque et devint une grande star. Malheureusement, le 15 septembre 1885, alors qu’il était en tournée au Canada, un train de marchandises le renversa.

P.T. Barnum gave the skeleton to the American Museum of Natural History in New York and sent the skin to Tufts University in Medford as a major benefactor of the school.
Jumbo was stuffed and put on display in the basement of Barnum Hall until a fire destroyed the building in 1974. To replace it, a large plaster statue now sits outside.
Jumbo is still in the heart of students and considered to bring good luck. Before examinations, they put coins in his trunk or pretend to pull his tail.
The word “jumbo became synonymous with “large” and “huge”. Thence comes the “Jumbo Jet " nickname given to the Boeing 747 .

P.T. Barnum fit don du squelette au Musée Américain d’histoire Naturelle et offra la peau à l’université Tufts, à Medford, dont il était un des premiers bienfaiteurs.
Jumbo fut naturalisé et exposé à Tuffts, dans le sous-sol du Hall Barnum, jusqu’à ce qu’un incendie détruise le bâtiment en 1975. Une imposante statue en plâtre a été installée à l’extérieur pour le remplacer.
Jumbo est toujours dans le cœur des étudiants et il est considéré comme porte-bonheur. Avant les examens, ils viennent déposer des pièces dans sa trompe ou font semblant de lui tirer la queue. Depuis, le mot Jumbo est devenu synonyme de « gros » et « gigantesque » de là vient le nom de "Jumbo jet", surnom donné au Boeing 747.

French Expression in context / Expression française en contexte

“ comme un éléphant dans un magasin de porcelaine! " (lit: like an elephant in a china store!). Like a bull in a china shop! It’s funny to notice that quite a few languages use the same French metaphor while English has a very close equivalent image but refers to another animal. Here are some examples : In Spanish : Como un elefante en una cristaleria. In Italian : Come un elefante in un negozio di cristalli. In German : Wie ein Elefant im Porzellanladen “ In Polish : jak słoń w składzie porcelany. In Turkish : züccaciye dükkanındaki fil gibi. In Portuguese: Como um elefante numa loja de cristais. In Russian : Как слон в посудной лавке / Kak slon v posudnoy lavke. In Dutch : als een olifant in een porseleinwinkel In swedish : Smiding som en elefant i en porslinsbutik. And for Cergie: In Chinese simplified: 大象进了瓷器店 In Korean: 남을 의식하지 않는 난폭자, 서투른 사람 In Japanese: はた迷惑な乱暴物 Whatever the animal : a bull or an elephant in a china store, this image is still funny and vivid!

We're not out of the woods ! ;-) On n’est pas sortis de l’auberge! ;-)

Remember I posted this picture last summer!

Well ! a week ago, while I was visiting the Allendale farm in Brookline (at the border of Boston), I spotted two coyotes hunting in this field just a few steps from a busy road.

Looking at their size and shape, I first thought they were collie dogs! All wrong!

Coyotes are considered to be one of the most adaptable animals in the world. Mostly because of the interesting food available in the form of dog and cat food left outside or all kind of trash and open garbage, these wild animals loose their natural fear of human and establish their new territories in suburban areas.

Keeping wildlife will depend upon us! Otherwise we're not out of the woods!
And maybe soon we could see coyotes walking in single line through Central Park or at the end of a leach with the tail tucked into their legs… ;-)

Souvenez-vous ! J’avais posté cette photo l’été dernier.

Eh bien, alors que je visitais récemment la ferme Allendale à Brookline (à la limite de Boston), j'ai croisé deux coyotes qui chassaient dans ce champ à quelques pas d'une route passante. Vu leur taille et leur forme, je croyais voir deux chiens colley. Tout faux !

Les coyotes sont considérés dans le monde comme une des espèces qui s’adaptent le mieux à l'environnement. En laissant traîner dehors de la nourriture pour chiens et chats, ou toutes sortes de déchets ou de poubelles ouvertes, ces aninaux sauvages perdent leur crainte naturelle de l’homme et établissent leur nouveaux territoires dans les banlieues.

Maintenir la vie sauvage ne tient qu’à nous ! Ou alors? Nous se sommes pas sortis de l’auberge! Et l'on pourrait bien voir des coyotes marcher à la queue leu leu dans Central Park ou peut-être au bout d’une laisse, la queue entre les jambes… ;-)

French Expression in context / Expression française en contexte

1. “ On n'est pas sortis de l'auberge! " (lit: We're not out of the inn!). We're not out the woods! Origin: This expression comes from prisoners. In argot the term "une auberge" (an inn) designates the jail. Actually, in the present case, coyotes are precisely wandering out of the woods! 2. “marcher à la queu leu leu" : (lit: to march at the tail of the wolf ) to walk in single line. Origin : The word “leu” (from latin root “lupus”) is the old medieval word for “loup”(wolf) This word was used until the 16th century. The expression "à la queue leu leu" is, in fact, a short cut for « à la queue (du) leu (le) leu» ( at the tail of the wolf, the wolf) to indicate that wolves in the pack move in single file, one after another.

Like two peas in a pod! Se ressembler comme deux gouttes d’eau !

When you spot these two boys, at fist glance you might think that you have double vision! But in fact they are twins having lots of fun at the Rings fountain, which spouts water over 30 feet into the air.
This brand new plaza, located in the heart of downtown Boston, is part of the linear grand promenade “greenway”, where the old elevated highway used to be, stretching from North Station to the Zachim Bridge.

À première vue, quand on aperçoit ces deux garçons, on pourrait penser qu’on y voit double ! Mais en réalité , il s'agit de jumeaux s’amusant à la Rings Fontain (fontaine des anneaux), dont les jets d’eau sont projetés à 9 m de haut.
Cette toute nouvelle place, en plein cœur de Boston, fait partie de la grande promenade linéaire « Greenway » (coulée verte), là où se trouvait l’ancienne autoroute surélevée, entre « North Station » et le pont Zachim.

French Expression in context / Expression française en contexte

1. “ Se ressembler comme deux gouttes d'eau" (lit: be as much alike as two raindrops): to be alike two peas in a pod. Origin: In his encyclopedia “Le Bouquet des expressions imagées”, French linguistic Claude Duneton wrote that this expression was very much in vogue in the 18th century. As a result, language purists in these days, required that it should strictly refer to a comparison between only two identical people, or things in a sense of a replica. 2. "Ceux qui se ressemblent, s'assemblent" : (lit: Those who look alike, bring them together) Birds of a feather flock together. Origin: This proverb goes back to Classical Antiquities. Indeed, it can be found in the Odyssey from the Greek epic poet Homer and in other different passages from philosophers Plato, and Aristote.

"A windmill or a chatterbox?" "Un moulin à vent ou un moulin à paroles?" That is the question! ;-)

Well, no, I didn't take this picture in Holland, but in Arlington, only 6 miles west of Boston.
This charming "windmill house"sits on a hill called Morningside. It was built in the 1930's.
I guess, the first question that crosses your mind is: Are its sails operating? What do you think?

There is a French old lullaby related to this theme. If you want to hear it, click here. And for the translation, visit our friend Bergson from Chateaubriant Daily photo.

Eh bien non, je n’ai pas pris cette photo en Hollande, mais à Arlington à 9km seulement à l’ouest de Boston.
Ce charmant moulin à vent se trouve sur une colline portant le nom de Morningside. Il fut construit dans les années trente.
J'imagine que la première question qui vous vient à l’esprit est la suivante : Ses ailes tournent-elles ? Qu’en pensez-vous ?

Il existe une vieille berceuse sur ce thème. Si vous voulez l’entendre, cliquez ici. Et pour la traduction, allez sur le blog de notre ami Bergson de Chateaubriant Daily Photo.

French Expression in context / Expression française en contexte

1. "On ne peut (pas) être au four et au moulin" : One cannot be in two places, at once. (lit: one cannot be at the oven and at the mill at the same time): Un peu d'histoire! A little bit of history!: This expression has its roots in medieval times. Windmills appeared in France in the 12th century. Under the feudal system, mills and ovens were the property of the lord who had a monopoly status. As a result, to be able to use these public facilities, peasants (serfs) had to pay dues (called "banalités") in the form of a product corresponding to a portion of the flour left to the miller, and to the lord as well. To make their flour, they would bring their grain to the mill (usually located on the river or stream) and wait in line. The bread was then made at home to be finally baked in the common oven (le four banal) situated in the center of the village. Thus it was impossible to be at the two places at the same time. These facilities were also a place to chat... which brings us to our second expression: 2. “un moulin à paroles" : a chatterbox . (lit: a wordmill )” Enjoy! :-)

All roads lead to Rome! Tous les chemins mènent à Rome!

We are here in "little Italy", a residential neighborhood in Boston, known as the North-End, located, as its name suggests, at the northern part of the city.
It is Boston's oldest neighborhood and was home of famous patriot Paul Revere during the American Revolution.
During the 19th century this area welcomed different waves of immigrations. Italians imigrants, settled here in the beginning of the 20th century. Needless to say that Italian is spoken around every corner and Italians restaurants, cafes and bakeries are plentiful here.

This is also the place where the Great Molasses flood took place in 1919 when a 50-foot-high tank exploded sweeping an immense wave of sticky molasses up to 15 ft high, in the narrow cobblestone streets of the city, killing 21 people. It has been reported that the smell prevailed for several years.

This book: "Dark Tide" The Great Boston Molasses Flood of 1919, by Stephen Puleo, is dedicated to the tragedy.

Nous sommes ici dans la "petite Italie", un quartier résidentiel de Boston appelé North-End situé, comme son nom l’indique, à la pointe nord de la ville.
C'est le quartier le plus ancien de Boston où le célèbre patriote, Paul Revere a demeuré pendant la guerre de l'Indépendance des Etats-Unis.
Au cours du 19ième siècle, le quartier a connu plusieures grandes vagues d'immigration. Ce n'est qu'au début du 20 ième siècle que les italiens s'y installèrent. Il va sans dire qu'on entend parler italien à chaque coin de rue et qu’on trouve un grand nombre de restaurants italiens, de cafés et de boulangeries.
C'est aussi dans ce quartier qu'a eu lieu en 1919, la grande inondation de mélasse provoquée par l'explosion d'une énorme citerne de 15 mètres de haut, qui contenait la mélasse. Celle-ci entraîna une vague gluante, atteignant 4,5 mètres de haut, qui se déversa dans les étroites rues pavées de la ville, faisant 21 victimes. Il a été rapporté que l'odeur persista pendant plusieurs années.

Le livre : "Dark Tide" The Great Boston Molasses Flood of 1919, de Stephen Puleo, est consacré à cette tragédie .

French Expression in context / Expression française en contexte

1. "Etre dans la mélasse" : to be broke, "in the soup" To be drown in the molasse: (the dark brown thick liquid) This figurative expression dates back to 1872. It implies that someone is in great difficulty/ in extreme misery. 2. “s’emmêler les pinceaux” : (lit: to get paintbrushes all tangled up) to get oneself all mixed up This idiomatic expression has no relationship with the world of painting. As a matter of fact, paintbrushes designate the foot (pied) or the legs (jambe) in French slang. In other words, "s’emmêler les jambes, or les pieds”means that you get tangled up in your own legs/feet". In a figurative sense, this expression means that you get confused/ all mixed up. The word "pinceau" originates from "pince"(a grip/ a clip) and by analogy the word came to encompass hands and feet. On horses, "la pince" designates the toe: one of the differents parts of the hoof (le sabot). Thanks to Marie-Noyale from Larchmont Daily Photo who brought up this expression in a comment.

James Hook & Co gone up in smoke! James Hook parti en fumée!

This is all that remains from the popular James Hook & Co, a wholesale and retail seafood business located on Boston's waterfront since 1925.

On Friday morning, around 3:30, a blazing fire has devastated the wooden building which is known as the largest lobster distributors in the country.

About 60,000 pounds of live lobster have gone up in smoke and the damage is estimated at $5 million. Fortunately, nobody was injured.

Bostonians who used to get fresh supplies here are sad today of the loss and hope this Boston landmark will be rebuilt.

Considering its great location, this lot has a princely market value. Will the family resist to the temptation to sell for Real estate developers eagerly waiting await a chance? To be continued...

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Voici tout ce qu'il reste du très populaire James Hook & Co, grossiste et détaillant de fruits de mer situé dans le port de Boston depuis 1925.

Vendredi, vers 3 heures et demie du matin, un violent incendie a complètement ravagé l'établissement, construit en bois, connu pour être le plus gros distributeur de homards du pays.

27 tonnes de homards sont partis en fumée et les dommages sont estimés à 5 millions de dollars. Heureusement, l'incendie n’a fait aucune victime.

Les bostoniens qui venaient se ravitailler ici sont tristes de cette perte et espèrent que l’établissement sera reconstruit.

Cette parcelle de terrain, royalement placée a une valeur marchande considérable. La famille résistera-t-elle à la tentation de vendre aux promoteurs immobiliers avides d'une opportunité de développement. A suivre…

Here is a picture of James Hook & Co before the fire. Voici une photo de James Hook & Co avant l'incendie.

The Latest breaking news on June 12, 2008: “City and federal fire officials Wednesday ruled out arson as the cause of the fire that destroyed the James Hook Lobster Co. last month, but they have not been able to pinpoint what started the blaze, most likely an electrical or mechanical malfunction” To read more, click here.

French Expression in context / Expression française en contexte

"Il n'y a pas le feu!" (or:"Y'a pas le feu! in a shorter version): No rush! (lit: "There isn't a fire" )
The full expression is in fact : "Y'a pas le feu au lac!" (the lake is not on fire) used to tease French spoken Swiss who have a slow lilting accent (the expression is ponounced with the swiss tone). The lake refers the Geneva lake (or lac Leman in French)

"One man, one boat, one ocean" "Un homme, un bateau et l’Océan"

Loick Peyron on board his blue 60 foot monohulls Gitana Eighty, won the transat solo race for the third time, on May 24, 2008.

In doing so, he has beaten French notorious Eric Tabarly's record. Leaving Plymouth (UK) on May 11, he sailed 2 982 miles to Boston in 12 days, 11 hours, 45 minutes and 35 secondes.

"One man, one boat, one ocean" three emblematic words uttered by English navigator Blondie Hasler, who created with Francis Chichester, the race solo across the Atlantic in 1960.

This oldest solo ocean race held every four years across the North Atlantic and formaly known as "The Transat" took the name of " The Artemis Transat " in 2008 .

Check out the race here

Loick Peyron a battu le record du célèbre navigateur Eric Tabarly, en remportant, pour la troisième fois, la transat en solitaire à bord de son monocoque bleu de 18,28m le "Gitana Eighty" ce 24 mai 2008.

Parti de Plymouth (UK) le 11 mai, il a parcouru les 2 982 milles jusqu'à Boston en 12 jours 11 heures 45 minutes 35 secondes.

"Un homme, un bateau et l’Océan" trois mots emblématiques prononcés par le navigateur anglais Blondie Hasler qui créa en 1960 avec Francis Chichester, la transaltantique en solitaire. Cette épreuve qui se déroule tous les quatre ans est la plus ancienne transat en solitaire. Anciennement connue sous le nom de "La Transat, elle a été rebaptisée "Transat Artemis"en 2008. Suivez la course ici

Here comes the friendly winner Loick Peryon ! Congratulations again for your great victory!

Et voici Loick Peyron, fort sympathique au demeurant!
Encore bravo pour votre belle victoire!

Another French skipper Armel Le Cléac’h aboard BritAir arrived second.

Un autre skippeur français, Armel Le Cléac’h, à bord du Brit Air, est arrivé second.

French skipper, Yann Elies, on Generaly crossed the finish line on the third position in spite of a damage to the top spreader's mast.

Le skippeur français Yann Elies à bord du "Generali"a franchi la ligne d'arrivée en troisième place en dépit de sa barre de flèche endommagée.

"Gitana Eighty" alongside Rowes Wharf at the Boston Harbor Hotel.

Le "Gitana Eighty" le long du quai devant l'Hotel du port de Boston.

Time for Repair! Séquence Réparations!

Applying a strip of carbon fibre on the damage surface...

Application d'une bande de fibre de carbone sur la partie endommagée...
Then, gluing the strip with a special resin. Even toilett paper works for such a repair!

Collage ensuite de la bande avec une résine spéciale. Même du papier toilette fait l'affaire pour une telle réparation!

A last layer...Then, wait for it to dry, et voilà! All fixed!

Une dernière couche... Puis attendre que le tout sèche, et voilà! C'est reparé!

Fixing the spreader problem on "Generali"....
Réparation de la flèche tribord en haut du mât sur le Generali...

French Expression in context / Expression française en contexte

The french familiar expression "être mal barré !" wich means "to be in big trouble" (literally, "to be badly helmed) originates from the nautical expression:
"être à la barre" : "to be at the helm".

It is mostly used in a figurative way to express that someone is in trouble...
Obviously, here, Yann Elies was "mal barré", in both figurative and proper meaning. However, he still made it! :-)