10x funny French sayings

Last weekend I was in beautiful Paris, where I always continue to be amazed by the arrogance of the French. For example, when I was standing at the Thalys on Sunday evening to return to Amsterdam (but was no longer allowed inside because it was three minutes before departure), I was told: ‘Then you should speak French.’ Well, I could understand that. And what does that mean? Would I have been allowed inside if I spoke fluent French? Quite special indeed.

But well, despite the fact that the French come across as rather humorless, they use the funniest expressions. I admit: I can laugh at this.

1. Il n’y a pas la lumière à tous les étages.

Translation: ‘There is no light on all floors.’ This is the French way of saying that someone is a bit off.

2. Va te faire cuire un oeuf!

Translation: ‘Go cook an egg!’ With this remark, you are bluntly asked to take a hike.

3. Être tendu comme un string.

Translation: ‘To be as tense as a thong (underwear).’ I find this very funny. And when the stress really gets out of hand, you say: ‘Craquer son slip’, meaning: bursting out of your underwear from stress.

4. Pisser dans un violin

Translation: ‘to pee in a violin.’ This remark sounds just as pointless as it is intended. You use this saying when something is completely useless and you might as well stop.

5. Pose run lapin à quelqu’un

Translation: ‘to stand someone up.’ When someone leaves you hanging in France by not showing up for a date, you don't get stood up, but a rabbit is placed for you. Sounds a lot nicer than it is intended.

6. Aller faire téter les puces

Translation: ‘to go give the bed bugs a drink.’ This is quite a dirty way to let someone know that you are going to sleep. Brrr.

7. On n’est pas lá pour suces des glaçons

Translation: ‘We are not here to suck ice cubes.’ I really find this the funniest of all; when your glass is empty in a restaurant, but you are still thirsty and want more wine.

8. En faire tout un fromage

Translation: ‘to make a whole cheese out of something.’ In other words: to make a big deal out of something trivial and make it bigger than it is. It can't get more French than this, I think.

9. On ne t’a pas sonné

Translation: ‘We didn't call you.’ This is how we know the French again: a blunt way of saying that someone should not interfere in the discussion.

10. Minute, papillon!

Translation: ‘Wait a moment, butterfly!’ This is a surprisingly sweet way to put someone in their place. For example, if you disagree with someone or when someone is too hasty and needs to slow down.

source: Frankrijk.nl