Episode Overview

Podcast: ehoui!
Host: Virginie Cutulic
Episode: 48. Vous connaissez ces 9 expressions ?
Date: July 25, 2021

In this episode, Virginie introduces nine colorful French expressions that involve birds ("expressions avec des noms d'oiseaux"). Aimed at learners seeking to sound more like native speakers, the episode delves into the meaning, usage, and origin of these everyday idiomatic phrases. Virginie not only explains each expression but adds context and examples, enabling listeners to enrich their French vocabulary in a fun, memorable way.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why Bird Expressions? (00:35)

• Virginie highlights that every language has its own quirky phrases and today’s focus is on “expressions avec des noms d'oiseaux,” commonly used in French conversation.

2. Expression #1: "Poulet" as Police Officer (01:12)

• In French, “poulet” (chicken) is a pejorative slang for police officer.
  • Origin: Dates back to the Paris Commune (1871); police relocated to a former poultry market and the nickname stuck.
  • WARNING: Highly pejorative—never say "voilà un poulet" in front of police.
• Quote:

  "En français on utilise le mot poulet pour désigner les policiers. Attention, c'est péjoratif." (01:45)

3. Expression #2: "Avoir la chair de poule" (Goosebumps) (02:25)

• Literally, “to have chicken flesh” = to have goosebumps.
  • Used when something gives you chills, like a beautiful piece of music.
• Quote:

  "Pour moi, écouter une belle musique classique parfois me donne la chair de poule." (02:56)

4. Word Usage: "Poule" vs "Poulet" (03:22)

• “La poule” = the living animal (hen).
• “Le poulet” = chicken when cooked (food).
• Virginie finds the distinction curious, noting it just is that way in French.

5. Expression #3: "Quand les poules auront des dents" (When hens have teeth) (04:00)

• Means something will never happen.
  • Equivalent to “when pigs fly” in English.
  • Usage: E.g., “J’aimerai les mathématiques quand les poules auront des dents.”
• Quote:

  "Ça signifie que je n’aimerai jamais les mathématiques. Ça n’arrivera jamais." (04:27)

6. Expression #4: "Manger comme un moineau" (Eat Like a Sparrow) (05:00)

• Used for someone who eats very little.
  • More specific than English "eat like a bird," using “moineau” (sparrow).
• Expression Variant: "Avoir un appétit d’oiseau" (to have a bird's appetite)—same meaning.
  • Opposite of “avoir un appétit d’ogre”.
• Quote:

  "Je mangeais comme un moineau... on va dire manger comme un moineau." (05:25)

7. Expression #5: "Être tête de linotte" (To be a scatterbrain) (06:00)

• “La linotte” is a bird that allegedly doesn’t take care when building its nest.
  • Means to be forgetful or absent-minded.
  • Example: Forgetting your helmet when riding a motorbike.
• Quote:

  "Être tête de linotte, c’est oublier les choses très facilement." (06:36)

• Origin: The bird's lack of caution inspired the idiom.

8. Expression #6: "Il fait un froid de canard" (It's duck-cold) (07:46)

• Means it is extremely cold outside.
  • Ducks are associated with cold, wet weather, hence the expression.
• Quote:

  "Quand il fait très froid on va dire il fait un froid de canard." (07:54)

9. Expression #7: "Bavard(e) comme une pie" (Talkative as a magpie) (08:20)

• “La pie” (magpie) is known for its noisy chattering.
  • Used for someone who talks a lot.
  • Example: Describing a visiting, talkative mother-in-law.
• Quote:

  "Ma belle-mère est bavarde comme une pie." (08:39)

10. Expression #8: "Un drôle d’oiseau" (A funny bird) (09:10)

• Used to describe someone a bit odd or eccentric.
  • More common in literature, less in modern spoken French.
• Quote:

  "C’est un drôle d’oiseau, c’est-à-dire que c’est une personne qui est un peu spéciale, un peu bizarre." (09:21)

11. Recap and Quick Review (09:50)

Virginie recaps all expressions for memory:

• Poulet: Pejorative for police officer.

• Avoir la chair de poule: To get goosebumps.

• Quand les poules auront des dents: Never!

• Manger comme un moineau: Eat very little.

• Avoir un appétit d’oiseau: Have a small appetite.

• Être tête de linotte: To be absent-minded.

• Il fait un froid de canard: It's very cold.

• Bavard(e) comme une pie: Very talkative.

• Un drôle d’oiseau: A strange person.

• Quote (recap reminder):

  "Voilà pour ces expressions, donc pour cet épisode de podcast qui, cette fois-ci, est court." (10:38)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On word cautionary tales:

  "Attention, ne dites surtout pas, oh voilà un poulet devant un policier en France parce que c’est très péjoratif." (01:58)

• On language curiosity:

  "La poule c’est l’animal vivant et le poulet c’est l’animal qu’on mange, donc quand il est cuit. Pourquoi on fait la différence? Je sais pas." (03:43)

• On culture and idiom origins:

  "Les linottes apparemment ne font pas très attention quand elles construisent leur nid..." (06:18)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Introduction & Theme: 00:01–00:34
• Poulet (Police): 01:12–02:23
• Chair de poule: 02:25–03:20
• Poule/Poulet difference: 03:22–04:00
• Quand les poules auront des dents: 04:00–05:00
• Manger comme un moineau/Appétit d’oiseau: 05:00–06:00
• Tête de linotte: 06:00–07:30
• Froid de canard: 07:46–08:20
• Bavard comme une pie: 08:20–09:10
• Drôle d’oiseau: 09:10–09:50
• Full Recap: 09:50–11:13

Tone and Style

Warm, friendly, and conversational, Virginie employs relatable anecdotes, comparisons to English, and clear warnings about pejorative usage. She strikes a balance between pedagogical thoroughness and light, accessible delivery, encouraging listeners to enrich their colloquial French in a fun way.

This episode provides an accessible and enjoyable gateway into some of the most colorful French idioms involving birds, blending linguistic curiosity with practical advice for learners eager to sound more like native speakers.