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 !

"ça lui fait une belle jambe!" - "That makes him a nice leg !" ;-)

Do you want to dance with me?
This invitation took place, last Saturday, under sunny skies, for the traditional Arlington Town Day, located in the suburbs of Boston.
Like the previous years, the atmosphere was very lively and brought many smiles, and lots of fun.

Voulez-vous danser avec moi?
Cette invitation a eu lieu samedi dernier, sous un soleil radieux à l'occasion de la traditionnelle fête de la ville d'Arlington, située dans la banlieue de Boston.
Comme les années précédentes, l’atmosphère animée a apporté beaucoup de sourires et de joie.

French Expression in context / Expression française en contexte

Expressions around the word "jambe" (leg):

"Ca me/lui fait une belle jambe!" (Lit : That makes me/him-her a nice leg ! ) It won't get me/ him- her very far! As you may guess, this expression is related to fashion and beauty but, believe it or not, it’s all about men, not women. The origin goes back to the 17th century when men used to wear long silk socks (chausses). At that time, men legs were a great deal of attention (no offense ladies!) and ribbons were added to embellish and emphasize the legs. The expression “Cela ne me rendra pas la jambe mieux faite" (lit: it won’t bring me my leg better shaped ) is found in the “dictionnaire académique Furetière” (1694) and was used in a sarcastic sense, reffering to something useless is done to you . Another version is given by Diderot in one of his quotes: ‘"un homme qui marche et qui fait la belle jambe est faux et manieré" (“ a man walking while showing a beautiful leg is fake and affected”) gave the expression "faire la belle jambe" meaning: “to show off”/ to “prance”. The modern idom“ça lui fait une belle jambe :”(lit: it makes him/her a beautiful leg) is a combination of the two versions and means today: it's of no interest to me! ............................ "Faire des ronds de jambe " (lit: to make circle of legs!). To bow and scrape! This expression is a reference to a ballet dance figure « half-circles made by the pointed foot, returning through first position to repeat; creating the letter 'D' on the floor”. ............................... "Traiter par dessus la jambe" (Lit: to treat over the leg) To treat someone/something without regards. Borrowed from the old French game « jeu de paume » (tennis), this expression is derivaded from the metaphor "jouer quelqu'un sous jambe"("to play someone under leg") that was used when a player get the upper hand. ............................... "Avoir les jambes en coton" : ( Lit: to have legs of cotton"): To feel weak at the knees . The expression appeared for the first time in 1839 in the famous Stendhal novel: "La chartreuse de Parme"(sources: L'internaute). Cotton is also used in other French idioms. .................................. "Trainer la jambe" (Lit: to drag the leg) To trudge along. .............................. "Tenir la jambe à quelqu'un" (Lit to hold someone’s leg) To annoy someone with endless blabla... :-( .............................. I hope this is not the case here! Otherwise everyone might: "Prendre ses jambes à son cou" (Lit: to throw one’s legs to one’s neck) To take to one's heels .............................. Then, (Alors)… Au revoir et à bientôt j'espère!

Mettre les voiles! To take off!

Click on the collage to see it larger.

Last week, forty five magnificent sailing ships from about fifteen different countries, sailed out from Boston harbor after being docked for five days. This race across the North Atlantic event, which is called “Tall Ships challenge” was a big success bringing more than 3 millions visitors.

Among the most impressive vessels, were the Russian masted four mast barque “Kruzenthern” the second-largest tall ship in the world (114.5 m long), the Argentinean fragata “Libertad” three mast (104 m long), and the Romanian three mast barque "Mircea" (82 m long).
Also, the French schooner “le Bel Espoir” (the beautiful hope) from Père Michel Jaouen is taking part in that adventure as well.

The race started from Vigo (Spain) last month and will end in Belfast (Ireland), on August 16th.

Quarante cinq superbes voiliers de quinze pays différents ont quitté le port de Boston la semaine dernière, après être restés à quai pendant 5 jours. Cette course, autour de l’Océan Atlantique Nord qui porte le nom de Tall Ships challenge (la course des grands voiliers), fut un grand succès attirant plus de 3 millions de visiteurs.

Parmi les bateaux les plus impressionnants, on pouvait voir la barque russe «Krusenstrhern» quatre mâts (second plus grand voilier au monde avec 114,50 m de long), la frégate argentine trois mâts «Libertad» ( 104 m de long) et la barque roumaine trois mâts "Mircea" (82 m long).

La goélette du père Jaouen (qui s’occupe de jeunes en difficultés)« le Bel espoir » participe aussi à cette aventure.

French Expression in context / Expression française en contexte

"Mettre les voiles" (lit: to put on the sails!) To leave/ to take off. As we can guess, this metaphor has a nautical terminology and refers to the sailing ship that raises its sails to get underway for a far-away destination. It is derived from the 15th century expression “bander les voiles” which meant, to strengthen the sail with bands of canvas sewed across the saildating. "Marcher (être) à voile et à vapeur " : ( lit: to work/go by sail and by steam"): To be AC/DC (bi-sexual) . Back in the late 19th century, sail and steam co-existed in the shipping industry, "sail was of necessity the rule, and steam the reserve or special power". The origin of this expression is not clear and there are quite a few interpretations explaining the relation between boats and sexuality. One of them is that sailors acquired the reputation of a homosexual practice when they were at sea, because they were without women. Furthermore, according to linguist P.Guiraud in his “dictionnaire érotique” the terms “corvette” and “frégate” have a sexual meaning. We can find in "bougrerie en Nouvelle -France” (Paul Francois Sylvestre) that “une corvette” is a woman who attracts sailors and “une frégate” designates a young homosexual, used in navy slang. "Avoir du vent dans les voiles " : ( lit: to to have some wind in the sails"): To be drunk. Another sailor expression (1835) to describe someone who has had too much to drink. The reference is to a sailing ship out of control in the wind and making it shudder and stagger, quite like a drunk. Not to be confused with the expression : “avoir le vent dans les voiles”(lit: to have the wind in the sails) To succeed, to have the advantage. There is similar older expression (from the 16th century): "avoir le vent en poupe" (To have the wind behind you) , To have the advantage, “être gonflé” (fully inflated/ to have a nerve) in argot. And let me conclude... ... à pleines voiles! (To be under full sail) To be in the flush or height of prosperity... Et maintenant je mets les voiles.... And now, I take off! Hasta la vista!

Se faire épingler! To get nabbed!

These 12 foot-high red pins have been installed, just a year ago in July 2008, in different locations in the city to point out Boston historical sites and cultural attractions nearby.
Each pin has interactive features, allowing visitors to send text messages and receive historical and cultural information on that location or about nearby events.
Pins location: Boston Common, Boston's City Hall Plaza, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston's Children's Museum, New England Aquarium, Christopher Columbus Park, Copley Square, Franklin Park Zoo, and Roslindale Village

Ces pins rouges de plus de 3 mètres de haut ont été installés, il y a tout juste un an (en juillet 2008), à différents endroits de la ville pour indiquer aux promeneurs les points d’intérêt de Boston.
Chaque pin possède une fonctionnalité interactive permettant aux visiteurs d’envoyer des textos et de recevoir des informations historiques et culturelles sur l’endroit et sur les activités autour.
Localisation de ces pins: Boston Common, Boston's City Hall Plaza, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston's Children's Museum, New England Aquarium, Christopher Columbus Park, Copley Square, Franklin Park Zoo, and Roslindale Village.

French Expression in context / Expression française en contexte

Se faire épingler! (lit: to be attached/pin up) To get nabbed! Used in a figurative way, this common slang expression is related to the world of gangsters and evokes the pictures of criminals pinned up on police's walls. ....................... Tirer (retirer) son épingle du jeu. (lit:to pull out one’s pin from the game) To pull out in time/to play one's game well. This metaphor dates back to the 16th century. It finds it roots in a French game “le jeu des épingles” (pin game) played in the 15th century by young girls, in which players placed pins in a circle drawn at the foot of a wall. Each girl had to throw a ball against the wall to make it bounce back in the circle to knock the pins out of the circle. The goal was hence to take one’s pin out of the game: “retirer son épingle du jeu” . There is another version of the same game played in the south of France in which girls would hide their needles or pins under a pile of soil or sand and threw a stone/rock onto it to knock out the pins. Also, note that, in the 16th century, the word "épingle" as in a sting appeared in many literature works where it evoked the masculine sex. ....................... Être tiré à quatre épingles (lit:drawn out/tighten with four pins): To be neatly dressed/ be dressed up to the nines Today it has a pejorative connotation. This expression comes from the late 17th century. It alludes to the women clothing and more precisely how they wore their shawl or scarf crossed across the chest and fastened with three or four pins. However, back to the Middle-Ages, the four pins were used by the pilgrims. The parish of Saint-Jacques-de-l’hôpital in Paris, attests that they were clothing rules in the way to attach pilgrims short cape. Besides, in the 17th century,"Les épingles" in the plural form, also referred to allowances (pin money) husband gave his wife for her purchases such as costly pins. ....................... Monter en épingles. (lit: to mount sth on a pin): To build sth up / to blow something out of proportion. According to Le Robert: Dictionary of expressions and locutions, this expression refers to jewelry and more precisely to the technique of mountingor setting a stone as an adornment to looks like the head of a pin. Hence, the metaphor of bringing up or mounting a valued item to draw attention. ....................... On jetterait une épingle qu'elle ne tomberait pas à terre! (lit: We would through a pin, it won't fall on the floor!) It's packed! when talking about a compact crowd. ....................... Mettre une épingle sur sa manche. (lit: to put a pin into ones' sleeve) Outch ! To make a mark. In order to remember sthg. French equivalent expression "Faire un noeud à son mouchoir"(lit"to tie a knot in one's handkerchief) ....................... Now a slang expression: Avoir une épingle à son col/ à sa cravate: (to have a pin at one's collar/tie) To drink bottoms up/ to be drunk The expression has originated in the 19th century when someone was drinking half of a "setier" (old measure for a 1/4 liter), bottoms up. ....................... Any other suggestions? but, maybe you will find that..... Cela ne vaut pas une épingle! (lit: it isn't worth it a pin!) It isn't worth it! Originated from 19th century in reference to the sewing pins. :-)

Éclairez ma lanterne! Enlighten me!

Lower Mystic Lake is located a few miles North West of Boston. It is connected upstream to upper Mystic Lake and downstream to Mystic River which empties into the Boston harbor.

The most distinctive feature of this lake is that it is a Meromictic lake, which is a rare type of lake (one counts around 200 in the world).
Unlike a Holomictic lake (the most common type) a Meromictic lake is a deep body of water lacking complete circulation of its upper and deeper layers of water. Due to this absence of mixing waters, the deeper layer receives little oxygen (less than 1 mg/l) from the atmosphere and sediments at the bottom remain undisturbed. Thus, such lakes preserve records of the geologic past of the lake exceptionally well.

Studies were performed by experts who found occasional layers of coarse sediment that had washed into the lake during flooding events and concluded that hurricanes have struck the Boston area. This record extends back to 1011 A.D. In terms of hurricanes activity the number was higher between the 12th and the 16th century.

Lower Mystic Lake est situé à quelques kilomètres au Nord Ouest de Boston. Il est connecté en amont au Upper Mystic lake et en aval à la rivière Mystique qui se jette dans le port de Boston.

La particularité de ce lac vient du fait que c'est un lac méromictique: un type de lac assez rare dans le monde (on en dénombre environ 200 ).
A la différence d’un lac holomictique (le type le plus commun), un lac méromictique est un lac très profond qui se caractérise par l’absence de circulation complète entre les eaux de surface et les eaux profondes. Du fait de cette absence de mélange des eaux, les couches profondes reçoivent très peu d’oxygène (moins de 1 mg/l) de l’atmosphère et les sédiments au fond restent stables. En conséquence, de tels lacs renferment des informations géologiques remarquables sur l’histoire du lac.

Des recherches ont été menées par des experts qui ont trouvé d'épaisses couches de sédiments déposés au fond du lac pendant des périodes d'inondations et en ont conclu que des ouragans avaient frappé la région de Boston. Les résultats obtenus ont permis de remonter jusqu'à l'an 1011 après Jésus-Christ. En termes d'activité cyclonique, le nombre d'ouragans était plus important entre les 12ème et 16ème siècles .

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French Expression in context / Expression française en contexte

1. “ Eclairer la lanterne de quelqu'un " (lit: to light somebody's lantern!): To enlighten somebody This expression is an allusion to Florian's Fable: "The Monkey showing the Magic Lantern"(1792) (French version here) which tells the story of a man who owns an outwit monkey called Jacqueau, and a magic lantern (a lantern projection). One day, the man leaves home to go to the cabaret. To impress all the animals of the village, the monkey decides to perform a show in front of them to explain how the world was created using the lantern as the sun. However one important detail was missing! He forgot to light up the magic lantern and as a result, the audience did not understand anything. After this fable was published the expression "oublier d'éclairer sa lanterne " (to forget to light one's lantern) was created and meant "missing the main point". 2. "Prendre des vessies pour des lanternes " : (lit: to take bladders for lanterns.) To think the moon is made of green cheese! Dating back to the late Middle-Ages, this expression is a play on word. It derives from the old form "vendre des vessies pour des lanternes" (to sell bladders for lanterns), where the words "lanternes" (lanterns) and "vessies" (bladders) had similar figurative sense. In old French, the word "lanternes", in the plural form, referred to “des balivernes” (twaddles) and the word "vessies" meant “des bagatelles” (trifles), or something empty, hollow, like the bladder. Eventually, the "lanternier" (the lantern merchant) was “un diseur de balivernes et de bagatelles” (a teller of trifles and twaddles"). However, in Medieval times, pigs or beef bladders (vessies de porc ou de boeuf) were commonly used as a recipient ( a goatskin flask), a ball or a lantern. The bladders were hung from the ceiling to dry, and then inflated before being used. A candle was placed inside beforehand. Et voilà! That does the trick!"! A bientôt!

To box things up! Faire ses cartons!

According to the CPS (Current Population Survey), less than 12 % of Americans moved since 2007. In comparison, between 1950s and 1960s, the number of movers reached near 20%.
Here is a map of the migration flows in the US.

As for us, after living 10 years in our house, we have decided to move because we felt in love with another house only a few steps away... We are now ready for another adventure!

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Selon l’enquête du CPS (Institut National de Statistiques) moins de 12% des américains ont déménagé depuis 2007. Par comparaison, entre 1950 et 1960, le nombre de déménagements atteignait alors 20%. Ici , une carte des flux de migrations internes aux US.

Quant à nous, après avoir vécu 10 ans dans notre maison, nous avons décidé de déménager car nous sommes littéralement « tombés en amour » pour une autre maison à seulement quelques pas d’ici... Nous voilà prêts maintenant pour une autre aventure !

French Expression in context / Expression française en contexte

The word "carton"derives from "carte"(borrowed from Italian "carta"). It is a thick reinforced paper used for all kinds of purposes.
Thus different expressions stem from this:

“ Faire ses cartons! " (lit: to make one's boxes). "Packing moving boxes!" To box things up! This figurative informal expression is often used in France when someone is moving. The word "carton" designates here the moving boxes. "Faire un carton!" (lit: to make a card). "It's a hit !" /To Do great. This expression has different meanings: 1. Back to the beginning of the 20th century, it was used in a shooting range, when the bullets were shot all in the middle of the target made of cardboard (carton in French) which led to a success. 2. In terms of Printing and Publishing, it refers to a technical process in which one or more papers containing errors are detached from the original document to be redone for printing. "cartonner" (to box/ to card) . To do great or To crash one's car. This verb is derivated from the expression "faire un carton". 1. It is used in an informal way also in a sens of success: "J'ai cartonné à mon examen de français!" (I did great on my French exam!). 2. However, it is also used in slang when having a car accident. A "carton" is an accident. "Taper le carton!"(lit: to hit the card). “Playing cards !” It's a familiar expression that found it roots in the old days when cards were made of cardboard (different layers of paper sticked together). The verb "taper" comes from the old French word"taquer" which means "frapper" (to hit). "(prendre) un carton jaune/rouge!": (to get) a Yellow/Red card. As in English, it is used in many sports to indicate that a player is to receive a suspension (temporary or permanently) regarding his conduct.

A bientôt!

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.