Frogslegs Posted April 24, 2007 Share Posted April 24, 2007 Many times in conversation with french people, normally at lunch over a glass of wine...they gesture which looks remarkably similar to a 'UP YOURS' or worse...the only difference instead of placing their left hand in the crease of the underside of elbow and raising right arm...I think they (not sure now I am trying to explain) place there left hand on the upperside of right arm and raise! This had been done in front of me not only by men but women...and I really was not talking dirty![;-)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Posted April 24, 2007 Share Posted April 24, 2007 You are right Frogslegs, it does pretty much mean that, but it is usually done when speaking about a third party, and not in their presence (unless the owner of the arm in question is spoiling for a fight). It's known as the bras d'honneur, and also something else rather worse.For a description and photo see http://french.about.com/library/weekly/aa020901u.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opas Posted April 24, 2007 Share Posted April 24, 2007 I think from the OP orriginal description, that he wasn't describing the Bras d'honour. It is as though the person making the gesture is giving him/herself a slap on the wrist(but halfway up the forarm) am I correct Frogslegs? I am not to sure of that gesture either, It has been used by elderly and young alike in my presence........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperlola Posted April 24, 2007 Share Posted April 24, 2007 I don't really know the gesture you refer to o/p. However, you could ask them, I'm sure they'd be happy to explain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frogslegs Posted April 24, 2007 Author Share Posted April 24, 2007 but I do not speak fluent french and after a few glasses of wine my wellbeing improves but alas not my french![8-)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frogslegs Posted April 24, 2007 Author Share Posted April 24, 2007 No its not as illustrated in the photograph...as Opas suggests, slightly different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Avery Posted April 24, 2007 Share Posted April 24, 2007 If its not "up theirs" then it must be "up yours"[:P]It is as Claire says "F**k them" or "up theirs", my French mate uses it a lot talking about people who have annoyed him, the gesture is not quite as nazi like as on that shown on that US/French language site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frogslegs Posted April 24, 2007 Author Share Posted April 24, 2007 I can not remember exactly what we were talking about on previous occasions but this week I had just done a deal with a woman when purchasing a caravan that she was selling on behalf of her cousin! It seemed as the deal was done....then she did it! I must admit the caravan has not been delivered yet![:(] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opas Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 I asked my eldest girl about this last night.........she says it is used when something is finished ,ie the conversation /subject has been dealt with or that the person is going. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frogslegs Posted April 25, 2007 Author Share Posted April 25, 2007 thank goodness for that!!!![:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missy Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 [quote user="opas"]I asked my eldest girl about this last night.........she says it is used when something is finished ,ie the conversation /subject has been dealt with or that the person is going.[/quote] Correct.You want to finish a particular subject of conversation or want to leave impatiently, you slap your left forearm about half way and your left palm hand sort of curls towards your chest and you say : 'Allez hop! on s'barre' for leaving the place and if there are more than one of you who want to leave impatiently or 'Allez hop! j'm'barre' if it's only you that wants to leave or 'Allez hop! réglé' if the subject of the converstaion must be finished here and now ..... Very colloquial and not to be used in polite company/conversation...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
londoneye Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 I have encountered the same gesture (as OP) a few times - the first couple of times I was erm disconcerted to say the least, and wondered what on earth I had done.The last time it happened was from my middle-aged female neighbour (extremely nice, very polite, and lady-like in her own farming sort of way). She used the gesture within the context of explaining that she was looking after one of our other neighbours' dogs, and saying that they had gone away (queue gesture!).Now I am not so worried about it, but it's certainly un-nerving the first time someone does it to you !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WJT Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 I have also encountered this gesture a few times from an elderly farmer neighbour. I can't recall the other circumstances but the other day he said he came by and I was gone and all of the windows, doors and shutters of the house were closed and then the up yours gesture. [blink] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
londoneye Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 I don't know why, if its just cos its raining today and I am bored, but for some reason WJT that made me howl with laughter - I think its just the way its phrased ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WJT Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 Not the most polite description on my part, but it is what happened. [:)] The funny part is probably the expression on my face when he makes the gesture. By the way, It 's not a gentle one either, it is carried out with much gusto. [:-))] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
londoneye Posted May 17, 2007 Share Posted May 17, 2007 Yes, you are right again - the key to this gesture is 'gusto', which has always puzzled me also, because if you are simply saying or indicating that someone has left, then why do it with such vigour and apparent aggression !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missy Posted May 18, 2007 Share Posted May 18, 2007 [quote user="londoneye"]...... then why do it with such vigour and apparent aggression !![/quote] Usually to indicate that the person left without saying his farewells, or owing monies... certainly in a hurry to get out o' here.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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