Être à cheval sur les principes! To be a stickler for principles!

We no longer see the mounted police trotting down the streets of Boston.

Unfortunately, because of budget cuts, it was dismantled on June 30.

Of the unit's horses patrol, two have returned to their prior owners, five have been leased to the New York City unit, and five others were sent to a greener place, in Plymouth.

Dating from 1873, the Boston mounted police was the oldest in the country.


Depuis cet été, on ne voit plus la police montée trotter dans les rues de Boston.

Hélas, celle-ci a été démantelée le 30 juin 2009 en raison de coupes budgétaires.

Parmi les chevaux de l'unité de patrouille, deux sont retournés à leurs précédents propriétaires, cinq ont été prêtés à l’unité de Police New York et cinq ont rejoint les verts pâturages de Plymouth.

Datant de 1873, la police montée de Boston était la plus ancienne du pays.

French Expressions in context / Expressions françaises en contexte

A few expressions around the word
"cheval" :

“ Monter sur ses grands chevaux ! " (lit: to mount on one's high horse!). To get on one's high horse ! This expression which means to get very angry, takes its origin in the Middle-Ages. At that time, there were different types of horses which differed by their size depending of the purpose : war, transport or agriculture. We are talking here about the feudal destriers also called "cheval de lance" (lance horse) or "cheval de bataille" (battle horse), trained for jousts and only ridden in battle (they are well depicted on Bayeux Tapestry ) Destriers were percherons type: very strong , and massive, build with long legs and a spirited temperament. Hence the figurative expression in the 16th century "monter sur ses grands chevaux". The term destrier (destrier or dextrier in French) is derived from latin word dextrarius , that is"right sided" (being left-handed was not an option, since it was associated with the devil). This brings us to the next expression: "enfourcher son cheval de bataille!" (lit: to ride its horse of battle ). “a cheval de bataille/ hobby-horse!” This figurative expression which obviously comes from the previous one, doesn't relates to war, or conflicte anymore. However, they share the same idea of having a goal to reach. A "cheval de bataille" is a plan, an agenda to defend someone's favorite subject. And with the same keystone in mind, you might: "Être à cheval sur les principes!" (lit: To be on a horse on principles) "to be a stickler for principles." The origin of the expression is not clear. It is mentionned in the French Academy dictionary in 1832 and means to be firm , sticking to something, in reference to riders who are firmly seated on the back of the horse. Have you ever received this kind of letter?: "une lettre à cheval " (litt: a letter mounted on a horse) This obsolete expression describes a letter which is arrogant and impudent. In the 16th century, the locution"parler à cheval " (to talk on horse) refered to a haughty or rude way to talk. Not be confused with another old expression "parler cheval" (to speak badly/ to jabber) which, in Quebec, became "parler joual" (the word joual being a distortion of "cheval") In lieu of "à cheval" the adjective "cavalier/ cavalière" (flippant) is frequently used. One expression shared by two worlds! : "un cheval de retour" (a return horse): A recidivist, a "two time-loser" We are here in the world or prison. This slang expression, dating from 1829, designates a recidivist. From there, we jump right into the world of Politics where this expression describes a discredited politician who comes back on stage. Beware Gentlemen ! the following expression is not a compliment to women to say : "Etre un grand cheval!" ( Lit: to be a high horse) A tall ungraceful woman Finaly, if you don't take in something into consideration, you might say this amusing phrase: J'en parlerai à mon cheval! (lit: I will talk to my horse) If you think you can think again! On that last note... A bientôt !