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8 favourite French words of the day

Condiments and emotion meet in a phrase for getting cross, a couple with facial connotations, and a very ordinary definition for a technical-sounding term

8 favourite French words of the day

The Local, a French language publication, shares its audience with the daily French word or phrase of the day. This segment focuses on colloquialisms, slang, sayings and a hint of swearing, often encompassing expressions not typically taught in classrooms but frequently encountered in everyday conversations on the streets. Over time, the publication has amassed a vast collection of such phrases, from which they have selected a few notable ones.

Among these favorites, "Jeter un oeil" is explained. This French phrase does not imply physically throwing eyes around; rather, it is used to express the act of looking or glancing. The next is "La moutarde me monte au nez", which, while seeming gastronomically related, is actually a metaphor for getting angry or irritated. Context in French is crucial, as seen with "Balles". When asked if you have some "balle", it's not about firearms, but rather an ambiguous term whose meaning can vary based on the context.

The publication also explores the term "Dinguerie", derived from the French word for extraordinary or unbelievable events. It's commonly used to describe anything extraordinary in the French language. "Rédhibitoire", another featured term, is a versatile word useful in various scenarios, be it a job interview, a relationship, or a purchase.

"Piquer du nez" is a phrase that many may recognize from US President Donald Trump's press conferences, which often extend beyond ten minutes. Lastly, "Tous azimuts" seems technical at first glance but it's an everyday idiom used in a multitude of contexts.

Written by urgent.news from The Local France's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.

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