allanb Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 I've lived in France long enough to know what a soutien-gorge is, but I have always believed that that was an exceptional meaning and that la gorge normally means the throat.However, I recently found a description of a woman with une gorge énorme qui saillit sous sa robe. Obviously this doesn't refer to her throat, but it was written in the 1870s (Maupassant), so the meaning may have changed. My dictionary mentions both meanings but doesn't really clarify anything.This is not a trivial question; I've been talking to people learning French – some of whom are female – about things you might need to say to a doctor, and I've told them among other things that j'ai mal à la gorge simply means that you have a sore throat, just as you might say j'ai mal à l'épaule or j'ai mal au genou. Was this safe advice? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybanana Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 Yes. If the problem was the chest, you would say poitrine. But if a breast, le sein Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allanb Posted December 4, 2012 Author Share Posted December 4, 2012 Thanks. I'm reassured. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancer Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 [quote user="allanb"]However, I recently found a description of a woman with une gorge énorme qui saillit sous sa robe. Obviously this doesn't refer to her throat, but it was written in the 1870s (Maupassant), so the meaning may have changed. My dictionary mentions both meanings but doesn't really clarify anything.[/quote]Gorge also means gorge in the English sense (vallée défilé) so it was a very good description for the cleavage surging from under the robe [:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanH Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 As long as it wasn't la gorge profonde [6]Seriously I think that gorge in the Maupassant would best be translated as 'cleavage' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericd Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 [quote user="NormanH"]As long as it wasn't la gorge profonde [6]Seriously I think that gorge in the Maupassant would best be translated as 'cleavage' [/quote]In this Maupassant bit, gorge means breasts as the breasts are showing up through the fabric. (cleavage would be translated as decolette). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judith Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 How useful that all was - you learn something new everyday, but not always quite a useful as that!! Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanH Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 Your eyes are obviously not popping out of your head Judith.Does this mean the second eye operation has been done? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allanb Posted December 4, 2012 Author Share Posted December 4, 2012 As a long-time observer of these things, I have to say that I agree with ericd. It's the breasts that exert pressure on the dress; the cleavage is merely the space between them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judith Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 [quote user="NormanH"]Your eyes are obviously not popping out of your head Judith.Does this mean the second eye operation has been done?[/quote]Norman,Thanks for asking - I meant to post the news on the previous thread, but it has been very active here - looking for new hobs and ovens etc.Yes, second eye a week yesterday - and seems to have settled very well, better than the first (which I rubbed accidentally, unfortunately).Gone from -12/-15 to about -1 in both eyes - no longer totally dependent on glasses, though it is clear I will need glasses for small print and for the focussing for driving .... but wow!!!!!I've been given "permission" to start driving again - even before the new glasses are with me, but carefully - for I cannot be any worse now than I was before the op.So off tomorrow for my first (short) foray to the shops - what a pleasure to go shopping without OH saying, haven't we got everything yet?Sorry to go OP - so back to cleavages - never had one really, so I wouldn't know the word, now would I ? :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanH Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 [quote user="allanb"]As a long-time observer of these things, I have to say that I agree with ericd. It's the breasts that exert pressure on the dress; the cleavage is merely the space between them.[/quote]I am sure he is right, but the cleavage is more like a gorge and the breasts like the hills above...Perhaps 'ample bosom' would be the appropriate English cliché? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allanb Posted December 5, 2012 Author Share Posted December 5, 2012 Thank you, Norman: "bosom" is perfect. Breasts and cleavage together in one word. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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