Monday, November 2, 2009

More fun with faux amis!

Ages ago, we did a bit on faux amis, false friends that look like familiar English words, but really means something very different in French.  By popular demand, here are a few more:

parent (n):  In France you aren't restricted to just 2 parents. Here, you can have dozens!  Why? Because a parent is any relative, not just Mom and Dad.

canapĂ© (n):  Mmmm...canapes! Hungry? Bring a sharp knife and fork and maybe some Tabasco sauce, because a canapĂ© is a couch. Bon appetit!

blesser (v):  Careful with this verb. Before you go off and blesse someone, expect some resistance. It means to hurt or injure, not to wish well.

pain (n):  You probably know this one. The French love pain. And we do too. It's French for bread. 

Pop quiz:  What do the French call French fries? Right, just fries (frites, actually). And French bread? Well, it's just bread. And a French horn? The rule changes. It's not merely a horn, but a cor d'harmonie, or harmony horn.

1 comment:

Kitten Herder said...

I feel vastly educated now. Thank you.