Maybe they take cheese seriously?
There are plenty of other food expressions, though!
Cheese and ouistiti have a long E sound in common–our mouths open horizontally for it, kind of like a smile.
Rosemary Kneipp
October 28th, 2016 at 8:05 pm
You’re probably right!
Yes ouistiti, for the French, is a smiley word, prrobably less for an anglo-saxon.
I seem to remember hearing le grand légume for ‘the big cheese’ too. I’ve heard bifsteak from people smiling for a photo too.
Rosemary Kneipp
October 29th, 2016 at 8:47 pm
That’s interesting – I’ve never heard “bifsteak” in that context nor “le grand légume” which is a surprising expression, considering that “un légume” is used for someone who is brain dead.
The bifsteak was from a French family I overheard at Villandry, clowning around and photographing each other. Le grand légume is from so long ago I could be misremembering it.
I’m not certain about more existing english expressions, but there are definitely more cheesy temrs in French!
For example, the French are happy when they eat cheese, but when they’re sad they’re rather “triste comme un plat sans fromage”!
Rosemary Kneipp
December 13th, 2016 at 9:17 am
Ah yes, “triste comme un plat sans fromage” is very indicative of French culture!
I think you’ve covered the English ones I know of. Interesting to see the French variant for big cheese.
Yes, it’s rather good, isn’t it?
Maybe they take cheese seriously?
There are plenty of other food expressions, though!
Cheese and ouistiti have a long E sound in common–our mouths open horizontally for it, kind of like a smile.
You’re probably right!
Yes ouistiti, for the French, is a smiley word, prrobably less for an anglo-saxon.
I seem to remember hearing le grand légume for ‘the big cheese’ too. I’ve heard bifsteak from people smiling for a photo too.
That’s interesting – I’ve never heard “bifsteak” in that context nor “le grand légume” which is a surprising expression, considering that “un légume” is used for someone who is brain dead.
The bifsteak was from a French family I overheard at Villandry, clowning around and photographing each other. Le grand légume is from so long ago I could be misremembering it.
It shows the complexity (and fun!) of learning another language.
It is certainly complex – and definitely fun!
I’m not certain about more existing english expressions, but there are definitely more cheesy temrs in French!
For example, the French are happy when they eat cheese, but when they’re sad they’re rather “triste comme un plat sans fromage”!
Ah yes, “triste comme un plat sans fromage” is very indicative of French culture!