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)