andrew44 Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Who has come across 'c'est un cas social' ? Someone that the authorities should deal with.A suitable case for treatment ?@+Andrew 44 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idun Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 I have heard that expression and that is what I took it to mean, either deal with, or help incidentally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanH Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 [quote user="andrew44"]Who has come across 'c'est un cas social' ? Someone that the authorities should deal with.A suitable case for treatment ?@+Andrew 44[/quote]I would say it is stronger...it is usually used about addicts, alcoholics and people who are in a real mess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patf Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 I've just read this thread for the first time - don't know why I didn't read it before! Very useful, though I'm sure I won't remember it all.I have a question about the french use of Spectacle as a noun. In english it seems to imply something very exciting and brightly coloured, but I think it might be more toned down in french? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanH Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 I would say it means 'a show'Le Spectacle va commencer 'the show is about to start'.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YCCMB Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 [quote user="NormanH"][quote user="andrew44"]Who has come across 'c'est un cas social' ? Someone that the authorities should deal with.A suitable case for treatment ?@+Andrew 44[/quote]I would say it is stronger...it is usually used about addicts, alcoholics and people who are in a real mess.[/quote]Abbreviated round our way to just "c'est un cas". Evidently, no further need for explanation.[:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted June 11, 2014 Author Share Posted June 11, 2014 I've just come across "très preppy"; this to refer to a cardigan type garment with V-neck and buttons down the front. That was certainly a first as I don't think I have heard any Americanisms in day-to-day life (I mean, no politics and not business).I HAVE heard "so British" now and again. The last time I remember hearing it was when I was watching "échappés belles" when that attractive girl with the gamine hair-cut was showing some houses with bay-windows.Do you think bay windows are "so British"? I haven't really thought of bay windows as so anything......well, maybe rather semi-detached and a bit surburban. I don't mean that to be derogatory as I think well-designed bay-windows can be rather attractive; especially when they are repeated at first and subsequent floors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patf Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Thanks Norman - the question related to a "spectacle" for local catholic schools. An english neighbour went with her daughter in completely inappropriate clothing, and was embarrassed, probably because she didn't understand the social context. As for un cas social, here they say "special" a lot, though perhaps that's milder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YCCMB Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 [quote user="sweet 17"]I've just come across "très preppy"; this to refer to a cardigan type garment with V-neck and buttons down the front. That was certainly a first as I don't think I have heard any Americanisms in day-to-day life (I mean, no politics and not business).[/quote]LOL! That just reminded me of an incident several years back when one of our neighbours had converted a building in their garden to make a sort of summer shelter, with one side of the building open to the outside whilst the other 3 sides and the roof provided shade and shelter. A lovely old stone building, and the result was very attractive.Apparently, one of their friends came round and said to them " Ah, vous avez un pool-house" and they had absolutely no idea what he was talking about. I think the friend had been watching too much US TV or something, as he'd failed to understand that a pool-house usually goes with a pool..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted June 11, 2014 Author Share Posted June 11, 2014 Nice story, Betty, made me laugh.Mind you, I tried "un after work" at a local bar and the person told me she'd never heard of that phrase before.And there was me thinking I'd try to pass myself off as metropolitan![:$]I swear to you that I was given a list of these expressions in French class. Could be that she realised I didn't work and therefore she wasn't going to give me un after work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YCCMB Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Also reminds me of a long-ago and far-away interview on French TV with racing driver James Hunt. He was being interviewed in French and was acquitting himself rather well, until the interviewer asked him "Avez vous des hobbies?". A look of abject fear spread across James Hunt's face, as he realised he had no idea what he was being asked.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancer Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 [quote user="andrew44"]Who has come across 'c'est un cas social' ? Someone that the authorities should deal with.A suitable case for treatment ?@+Andrew 44[/quote]Used as a pejorative around here, "un cassoce" to describe someone who doesnt work and scrounges off the state or just to insult someone.The height of cultural interaction in these parts is to drive around with the Windows down shouting insults at pedestrians or cyclists, I get several a week whilst cycling to and from keep fit, usually they are inaudible and I am more concentrating on not falling off as they pass very close with that intention, they also do it when I am working up a ladder on the front of my building hoping that I will fall off, the sound carries better and one day I laughed out loud to be called a cassoce by a car full of what can only be described as cassoces [:-))]It was une bagnole cassoce also [:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idun Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 I had forgotten how difficult I usually find it when anyone french says english words with a very heavy french accent. And they look at me very strangely, as they tell me it's an english word and sometimes I still don't get it as it is so deformed, I'd need to see it written down.Over the years it has happened a lot. Still it is no worse than 'already you' that is so used in english, now that drives me bonkers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YCCMB Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 Now you've got me started, Idun. I get really annoyed when I hear "coup de gras" which is the usual pronunciation by English speakers. I always imagine someone being bludgeoned to death with a lump of lard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybanana Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 I used to like the Spanish version of thank you when said by a Brit, which sounds as if one has been sitting on the lawn and got a Grassyarse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patf Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 or San Fairy Ann. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancer Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 [quote user="You can call me Betty"]Now you've got me started, Idun. I get really annoyed when I hear "coup de gras" which is the usual pronunciation by English speakers. I always imagine someone being bludgeoned to death with a lump of lard.[/quote]Oops [:$] looks like I have been pi55pronouncing that for years yet I know the correct spelling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loiseau Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 And what about: "Il faut aimer" = "he/she/it is an acquired taste" ...Angela Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybanana Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 Hmmm, I must remember that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YCCMB Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 [quote user="Chancer"][quote user="You can call me Betty"]Now you've got me started, Idun. I get really annoyed when I hear "coup de gras" which is the usual pronunciation by English speakers. I always imagine someone being bludgeoned to death with a lump of lard.[/quote]Oops [:$] looks like I have been pi55pronouncing that for years yet I know the correct spelling.[/quote]You're forgiven. Don't do it again! [:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted June 12, 2014 Author Share Posted June 12, 2014 [quote user="Loiseau"]And what about: "Il faut aimer" = "he/she/it is an acquired taste" ...Angela[/quote]Not only that, Angela, maybe il faut qu'insister as well?I was thinking of when you told me that I had to insister in order to get rid of the marks on my kitchen floor. In fact, it was too warm to clean said floor with the steam mop so no question of persevering, just a quick, face-saving attempt[:$]Don't worry, I did understand your explanation the first time and I will try not to insist that they have to acquire a taste for me[:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loiseau Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 ? ? ? Floor mopping here in the Vendee would be a watery pleasure, Mint! Today I am "insister"ing with sandpaper on my many large shutters, prior to painting them with something akin to molasses, and it's 26 degrees. Anything in that line seems to be "un produit", which is another useful word that covers a multitude of things from floor polish to beauty products, bath unguents (sp?) to wood stain.Angela Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted June 12, 2014 Author Share Posted June 12, 2014 That sounds like seriously hard work, beaucoup de boulot?Ours seem to be very well covered in un produit like lassure (have I got that produit right?) And all I do is wash them, OK insistering a bit, and then use a wood protector on them.It's over 30 here, so no real work this afternoon though I have done the ironing earlier on and, of course, cooked lunch. Malgré tout, will be off to la gym later (can't now be tempted to sit around glugging cold beer[:-))])BTW, do you like my new name? No longer in 17 and I am properly grown up now. Tell Wools that mint is just another sweet and that it doesn't refer to the sale of any chateau I might have possessed[:P] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted June 12, 2014 Author Share Posted June 12, 2014 That sounds like seriously hard work, beaucoup de boulot?Ours seem to be very well covered in un produit like lassure (have I got that produit right?) And all I do is wash them, OK insistering a bit, and then use a wood protector on them.It's over 30 here, so no real work this afternoon though I have done the ironing earlier on and, of course, cooked lunch. Malgré tout, will be off to la gym later (can't now be tempted to sit around glugging cold beer[:-))])BTW, do you like my new name? No longer in 17 and I am properly grown up now. Tell Wools that mint is just another sweet and that it doesn't refer to the sale of any chateau I might have possessed[:P] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted June 14, 2014 Author Share Posted June 14, 2014 PM alert for loisseau.And a new expression for those interested: mettre quelqu'un sur les dents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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