Chrissie Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 I was trying to explain the phrase "barking mad" to a French friend the other day (one of those conversations you quickly wish you hadn't started...). Is there an equivalent French phrase, preferably dog-related?Chrissie (81) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchie Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 I d say aboyer comme un fou ..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suein56 Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 [quote user="Chrissie"]I was trying to explain the phrase "barking mad" to a French friend the other day (one of those conversations you quickly wish you hadn't started...). [/quote]Best I can come up with: I had 'complètement dingue' explained to me the other day as 'complètement fou'; but it doesn't have anything to do with dogs, sorry.Sue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gosub Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 No dogs again but, Fou comme un Chapelier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissie Posted July 20, 2009 Author Share Posted July 20, 2009 Thanks for all those - I assume, being too lazy to head off to get dictionary, that the last is "mad as a hatter" - is that a real French phrase? Oh dear, I feel the urge to translate "pop goes the weasel" coming on - must go and lie down!Chrissie (81) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
odile Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 First time somebody said to me 'and Bob's your uncle' I was surprised and tried to explain that no, I do not have an uncle called Bob.I'd say 'complètement dingue' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchie Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 [quote user="gosub"]No dogs again but, Fou comme un Chapelier[/quote]Sorry, never heard that .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
odile Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 ben, moi non plus!dingue =zinzinsonnégagamarteautagada (my dad used that one a lot)tarré Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanH Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 barjot?Cinglé?avoir une araignée dans le plafond?...that seems to give the animal and height ideas.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchie Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 En général on dit " avoir une araignée au plafond " Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanH Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 Of course it's even like that in the link I gave! Silly me.But do you think it's a good idea?I have translated it in the past as 'to have bats in the belfry'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchie Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 I'm sorry, but no, you wouldn't say that about a dog barking mad.. It's not the dog that is mad, it is the barking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanH Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 But barking mad refers to a person! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchie Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 Silly ME this time !! [:D]" Il vociférait " would be what I d use then .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cendrillon Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 [quote user="NormanH"]But barking mad refers to a person! [/quote]It does indeed. I believe the expression also refers to a "mad house" in Barking. If a person was / is thought to be crazy then he must be mad enough to be in that place in Barking.If you look at the following link it gives a better explanation. Also look at Mad as a Hatter on the same link.http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/mad-as-a-hatter.htmlSorry this does not answer the original question. edit: I see my link goes straight to Mad as a Hatter but I am sure you will easily find the Barking Mad info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
odile Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 can't open the link. Frenchie 'barking mad' is used as a quantifier + adjective = very/extremely mad.Example : my mother-in-law is very excentric! In fact she is barking mad- always going shopping in her pink fur coat and Wellington boots outfit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cendrillon Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 [:(]Sorry about the link not working.............HELP, can someone do something? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clair Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 [quote user="Cendrillon"][:(]Sorry about the link not working.............HELP, can someone do something?[/quote]Link repaired.See http://www.completefrance.com/cs/forums/1758955/ShowPost.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clair Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 [quote user="Cendrillon"][:(]Sorry about the link not working.............HELP, can someone do something?[/quote]Link repaired.See http://www.completefrance.com/cs/forums/1758955/ShowPost.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
odile Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 whereas 'hopping mad' = absolument furieux Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cendrillon Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 [quote user="Clair"][quote user="Cendrillon"][:(]Sorry about the link not working.............HELP, can someone do something?[/quote]Link repaired.See http://www.completefrance.com/cs/forums/1758955/ShowPost.aspx[/quote]merci [:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 Also, sometimes, they leave out the "mad" but it is there by inference. For example, he/she is barking!Even more confusing, non? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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