12 practical insults to know in the Streets of France

12 practical insults to know in the streets of France

Here are several very useful expressions you may need as ammunition before launching an argument-or discussion in the streets of Paris…Let’s consider this obviously incomplete list as the ’emergency’ one, all should know…

In various countries, we understand this list would be R-rated or even censured and apologize for the sensible individuals shocked by the reality of this expressions, clearly found in all languages. For French, there are just more of them.

Sale Boudin !
Literal translation: “Dirty Blood Sausage”. Not such a violent insult once translated, I admit, yet, this is the one of the most used insult by men when referring to a woman who is not too physically appealing or about an old prostitute.

Tu es con comme la lune!
Literally: “You’re as dumb as the moon!”

Degages!
Literally: “Get the hell away from me”

Faire une Englaise…
English translation: “Going Dutch”
When everyone at a restaurant decides to pay their share separately.
Literal translation: “To do an English”.

Laisses moi tranquille!
Useful on the streets: “Leave me alone!”

Filer a l’Englaise
Literally: “To dash off english-style”
Though this expression finds its roots back in the 19th century, the British equivalent expression for someone taking off quietly is strangely named “French leave”…

Parler comme une vache Espagnole
Used about someone who speaks poorly.
Literally: “To speak like a Spanish cow”