Podcast Summary:
ehoui!
Host: Virginie Cutulic
Episode 39: Let's Discover 10 Fake Anglicisms Created by French Speakers!
Date: March 22, 2021
Overview
In this entertaining and educational episode, Virginie Cutulic explores the quirky world of “faux anglicismes” — words borrowed from English that French speakers have reimagined or invented in ways that would puzzle native English speakers. With humor, personal anecdotes, and clever riddles, Virginie unveils ten of the most amusing examples, inviting listeners to reflect on language evolution, intercultural influences, and how living abroad sharpens language awareness. The episode provides a practical yet light-hearted look at how French adapts English terms, often giving them unique meanings.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Introduction: Why “Fake Anglicisms?”
- Virginie introduces the topic by explaining that a “faux anglicisme” is a word inspired by English but reshaped to fit French — often with different meaning or pronunciation.
- Living in the US and teaching American students has increased her curiosity about the French language and its evolution.
- “Le fait d'être en contact avec des personnes qui n'ont pas le français comme langue maternelle, ça m'aide aussi à être beaucoup plus curieuse sur ma propre langue.” (02:01)
1. Catcheur / Catcheuse
- Meaning: Professional wrestler
- Origin: From “to catch,” but in English, the word would be “wrestler” (not used)
- Anecdote: Virginie realized her own confusion when discussing the term with a Canadian student.
- Notable quote: “Vous entendez la petite note française avec le bon accent français: catcheur...” (04:15)
- Timestamp: 03:45–05:05
2. Footing
- Meaning: Jogging, to go for a run
- Observation: Many faux anglicisms in French end with “-ing,” giving them an “English-sounding” flair.
- “En anglais, ‘footing’ bien sûr n'existe pas.” (06:03)
- Timestamp: 05:15–06:20
3. Brushing
- Meaning: Blow-drying hair (with a round brush, to achieve a styled look)
- Origin: From “brush,” but in English, you’d say “blow dry.”
- Pronunciation: “Brushing” is pronounced “brooshing” with a French accent.
- Timestamp: 06:34–07:32
4. Babyfoot
- Meaning: Table football / foosball
- Description: A popular bar game in France.
- Virginie struggles to describe the game without using the word, highlighting the gap between cultures.
- Notable quote: “On écrit vraiment littéralement ‘baby’, mais on va le dire ‘baby’ … c’est un jeu très, très populaire...” (09:54)
- Timestamp: 07:40–09:58
5. Parking
- Meaning: Parking lot
- Note: While “parking” as a place exists in French, the verb to park is still “garer.”
- “On ne dit pas ‘parquer’ sa voiture, on va dire ‘garer’ sa voiture...” (11:40)
- Timestamp: 10:10–11:45
6. Pom-pom girl(s)
- Meaning: Cheerleader (female)
- Cultural distinction: In France, “pom-pom girls” focus more on dance, and the activity is less prominent than in the US.
- Etymology: Refers to the pom-pom objects used by cheerleaders.
- Timestamp: 12:00–14:38
7. Camping-car
- Meaning: RV, recreational vehicle, motorhome
- Construction: Mixes “camping” and “car” in a distinctly French way.
- “N’oubliez pas surtout d’utiliser l’accent français : le ‘camping-car’!” (15:12)
- Timestamp: 14:50–15:22
8. Toki-woki
- Meaning: Walkie-talkie
- Note: French reverses the order and pronunciation — “toki-woki” instead of “walkie-talkie.”
- Humorous difficulty: Virginie laughs at how hard it is to explain the toy-like device without using the English term.
- Timestamp: 15:35–16:42
9. Smoking
- Meaning: Tuxedo (formal evening suit for men)
- Historical tidbit: Originated as “smoking suit” in 19th-century London so men could smoke in a special jacket after dinner. Adopted by French society as “smoking.”
- Notable quote: “Donc en fait, dans la haute société, à l'époque, dans les dîners mondains, les hommes allaient dans les fumoirs après-dîner pour fumer, bien sûr.”* (17:57)
- Timestamp: 16:48–18:48
10. Relooking / Relooker
- Meaning: Makeover (noun and verb, to give or receive a style makeover)
- Construction: “Look” becomes “relooking” (noun), and the verb “relooker” is also invented.
- Notable quote: “En anglais c'est je crois que ça s'appelle a makeover et donc en français on va dire faire un relooking...” (19:43)
- Timestamp: 18:55–20:10
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “C’est aussi intéressant de voir d’où viennent ces mots et voir l’influence super importante, de la grosse influence que l’anglais peut avoir sur le français.” (22:08)
- The frequent laughs and Virginie’s struggles to give riddles for common words (“Je suis vraiment désolée, c'était très difficile d'expliquer...”) add to the fun and relatable atmosphere of the episode.
Recap of the 10 Fake Anglicisms (21:05)
- Catcheur / Catcheuse (Wrestler)
- Footing (Jogging)
- Brushing (Blow-dry)
- Babyfoot (Foosball)
- Parking (Parking lot)
- Pom-pom girl(s) (Cheerleader)
- Camping-car (RV)
- Toki-woki (Walkie-talkie)
- Smoking (Tuxedo)
- Relooking / relooker (Makeover)
Final Thoughts
Virginie closes by encouraging listeners to pay attention to pronunciation, reflect on language influences, and enjoy the playful mix of French and “faux” English.
“Donc c’est un bon moyen de travailler la prononciation en français même si vous êtes tenté de prononcer avec l’accent anglais…” (21:56)
Important Timestamps
- 00:26 — Virginie introduces the theme of “faux anglicismes”
- 03:45 — Catcheur / Catcheuse
- 05:15 — Footing
- 06:34 — Brushing
- 07:40 — Babyfoot
- 10:10 — Parking
- 12:00 — Pom-pom girl(s)
- 14:50 — Camping-car
- 15:35 — Toki-woki
- 16:48 — Smoking (tuxedo)
- 18:55 — Relooking (makeover)
- 21:05 — Recap of all 10 words
For French learners and language buffs alike, this episode is a delightful reminder of how language evolves in creative — and sometimes hilarious — ways when cultures collide.