18/12/2016
The South West of France is renowned for its rich culture, stunning landscapes, and, perhaps most endearingly, its unique linguistic flavour. If you've ever found yourself in regions like Bordeaux, Toulouse, or the Basque Country and overheard conversations filled with words and phrases that sound delightfully unfamiliar, you've likely encountered the distinctive slang of the South West. This vibrant lexicon is largely rooted in the Occitan language, a Romance language spoken historically across Southern France, with its own dialectal variations such as Gascon and Languedocian. While Occitan may not be as widely spoken today, its influence on the local vernacular remains incredibly strong, often surprising newcomers with its colourful and expressive nature.
The Allure of Occitan Roots
The expressions commonly used in the South West are a testament to the region's deep historical ties to Occitan. This ancient language, with its various dialects, has infused everyday French spoken in the area with a unique character. Many of these terms are so ingrained in the local culture that even those who aren't fluent in Occitan use them daily, often without realising their origins. The result is a linguistic tapestry that is both charming and, at times, a little perplexing for outsiders. These aren't just words; they are snippets of history, carrying the spirit and warmth of the region.
A Glossary of South Western Delights
To help you navigate this fascinating linguistic landscape, here's a compilation of some of the most common and characteristic words and expressions you're likely to hear in the South West:
| Word/Expression | Meaning | Occitan Origin (if applicable) |
|---|---|---|
| Adieu ! or Adiou ! | Hello! / Goodbye! (used for both greeting and parting) | Adieu |
| Astiaou | Disgusting, revolting | |
| Baderne | Silly, foolish | |
| Barjo | Crazy, mad (often used affectionately) | |
| Bombasse | A young girl or woman (colloquial) | |
| Bouffe | A slap, a punch | |
| Boudu ! | Exclamation of surprise or annoyance (similar to 'Good Lord!') | Bou Diu (Good God) |
| Brandouiller | To shake, to wobble | |
| Branque | Clumsy, awkward | |
| Brave | A bit silly, foolish, simple-minded | |
| Brêle | Useless person, good-for-nothing | |
| Bringue | A party, a celebration (also 'faire la bringue' - to party) | |
| Bugne | A blow, a hit, a small accident | |
| Cagade | A blunder, a mistake, a clumsy action; something that went wrong | |
| Cagnard, Cagnàs | Scorching heat, heatwave | Canhard |
| Cagouille | Snail | Cagolha |
| Canaillou, -ne | Rascal, scamp (masculine/feminine) | Canalhon |
| Caner | To be tired | |
| Caquet (avoir du) | To have a comeback, to talk assertively, to be bold | |
| Casquer | To spend money, to pay | |
| Castagne | A fight, a brawl | Castanha (chestnut) |
| Cepe | Idiot, fool (colloquial) | |
| Chocolatine | Pain au chocolat (chocolate croissant) | |
| Couillonner | To trick, to fool, to rip off | Colhonar |
| Cramer | To burn | |
| Craque | A lie | |
| Dailler | To bother, to annoy; to tackle (in sports) | Dalhar (to mow, to scythe) |
| Décaniller | To knock down in one go; to shoot dead | |
| Dia | Interjection showing astonishment | |
| Douille | A fine, a penalty | |
| Drôle | Child | Dròlle |
| Eh bé, Et ben | Well... | E ben |
| Embâucher | To start one's workday | |
| Embûcaner | To smoke (e.g., meat); to confuse or mislead someone | |
| Empapaouter | To swindle, to trick | |
| Ensuquer | To bore, to daze, to make sleepy | Ensucar |
| Escagasser | To ruin, to damage, to mess up | |
| Escamper | To leave quickly, to flee; to throw or launch (in Languedoc-Roussillon) | |
| Esclaffer | To crush; to burst out laughing | Esclafar (to flatten, to crush) |
| Estourbir | To knock out, to stun | Estorbir (to stun) |
| Fadas, -se | Foolish, silly, simple (masculine/feminine) | Fadàs, -assa |
| Farci | Stuffing (the filling), not the stuffed item | Farcit (stuffing, farce) |
| Fatch | Nonsense, rubbish, lame (e.g., 'Cette soirée était vraiment fatch' - That party was really lame) | |
| Feignàs, -se | Lazy person (masculine/feminine) | |
| Fenestrou, Finestrou | Small window | Fenestron |
| Frisquet or Fresquet | Chilly, cool (e.g., 'Fa frisquet' - It's chilly) | Fresquet |
| Giscler | To gush, to spurt | Gisclar |
| Gnaquer | To bite fiercely | Nhacar |
| Gonze, Gonzesse | Guy, gal, any person (colloquial, from French) | |
| Gavé | A lot, too much | |
| Jaune | Pastis (the anise-flavoured aperitif) | |
| Loufer | To fart | |
| Malle | Car boot, trunk | |
| Mascagner | To work poorly or with difficulty, to mess up a job | Mascanhar (to sabotage, to botch) |
| Mastoc | Badly made, clumsy; also something imposing and dense | |
| Mila diou | A thousand gods! (expression of annoyance or surprise) | Mila diu |
| Morfale | Someone who eats greedily | |
| Morfler | To take a beating, to receive blows | |
| Mouscaille | Fly; mud, mire (e.g., 'être dans la mouscaille' - to be in the muck) | Moscalha (from mosca - fly) |
| Ninou | Darling, sweetheart, term of endearment | Ninon |
| Noundediou | Good God! (exclamation) | Nom de Diu |
| Oh con ! | Wow! Oh dear! (expression of surprise, can be strong) | |
| Pas tròp | Not too much | Pas tròp |
| Pastaga | Pastis | Pastaga |
| Pec or Pègue | Idiot, stupid person | |
| Pét | A hit, a blow | |
| Pétoche | Fear, fright (e.g., 'avoir la pétoche' - to be scared) | |
| Peuchère | Poor thing, unfortunate (can also mean cheap) | Pecaire / Pechaire |
| Pigne | A small hit, a jab, a punch | |
| Pinter | To drink, especially alcohol, to get tipsy | Pompar (to soak) |
| Pitchou, -ne | Little one, small (masculine/feminine, often affectionate) | Pichon, -eta |
| Pitchounet, -te | Very little one, tiny (masculine/feminine) | Pichonet, -eta |
| Plier | To put away, to tidy up (e.g., 'Plie les assiettes' - Put the plates away) | |
| Plâtras | A very full plate of food, a hearty meal | |
| Poche | Plastic or paper bag; also, a heavy drinker | |
| Pompette | Tipsy, slightly drunk | Pompar (to soak) |
| Poutou | A kiss, a peck (affectionate) | Poton |
| Qu’es aquo ? | What is that? What's this? | Qu’es aquò? |
| Ratchou | A bit stingy, tight-fisted | |
| Ronquer | To snore, to sleep | |
| Rouste | A thrashing, a beating | Rosta (beating, drubbing) |
| Staffe | A drag (of a cigarette); to take a drag | |
| Taquet | A sharp knock; at full speed ('au taquet') | |
| Tarabuster | To pester, to hassle, to manhandle | |
| Tarin | Nose | |
| Tchatcher | To chat volubly, to gossip | |
| Tchatcher | To steal, to nab (from Romani) | |
| Tchi | Nothing | |
| Tèque | A hit, a blow (often unexpected) | |
| Tranquilou peinard | Very relaxed, chilling out | Tranquille (French) + suffix |
| Un peu moins | Calm down a bit! (used to tell someone to take it easy) | |
| Zou, Za, Zè | Expression of joy, enthusiasm, 'Hooray!' | Zo! |
Why These Expressions Matter
The South West's unique vocabulary is more than just a collection of quirky words; it's a vital part of the region's cultural identity. These expressions embody the conviviality, warmth, and a certain joie de vivre that characterise the South West. They are a way for locals to connect, share a laugh, and maintain a link to their heritage. Even simple phrases like 'Adiou !', used for both hello and goodbye, reflect a friendly and inclusive approach to communication. The famous debate between 'pain au chocolat' and 'chocolatine' is a prime example of how regional identity is expressed through everyday language.
The 'Chocolatine' Debate: A Classic South Western Marker
One of the most well-known linguistic distinctions of the South West is the unwavering preference for the term 'chocolatine' over 'pain au chocolat' for the beloved pastry. This seemingly small difference is a significant marker of regional identity and often sparks light-hearted debate across France. To locals, it's not just a pastry; it's a symbol of their unique way of life.
Common Scenarios and Usage
Understanding the context in which these words are used is key. For instance:
- Greeting a friend: 'Adiou ! Comment ça va ?' (Hello! How are you?)
- Expressing surprise at the weather: 'Boudu ! Que calou avui !' (Good Lord! It's hot today!)
- Describing a clumsy mistake: 'Oh, j'ai fait une vraie cagade.' (Oh, I really messed up.)
- Inviting friends out: 'On va bringuer ce soir ?' (Shall we party tonight?)
- Referring to a local drink: 'Je prends un jaune.' (I'll have a Pastis.)
- Affectionately addressing a child: 'Viens là, pitchoune !' (Come here, little one!)
The term 'gavé', meaning 'a lot' or 'too much', is particularly pervasive. You might hear someone say, 'Je suis gavé fatigué' (I'm very tired) or 'Il y a gavé de monde' (There are a lot of people).
Frequently Asked Questions
Embracing the Local Lingo
Learning and using these expressions can significantly enhance your experience in the South West. It shows respect for the local culture and can often lead to warmer interactions with residents. Whether you're ordering a drink, commenting on the weather, or just chatting with locals, sprinkling a few of these authentic terms into your French will surely bring a smile and perhaps even an 'Adiou !' in return.
The linguistic heritage of the South West is a precious thing, a vibrant echo of its past that continues to enrich its present. So, next time you're in the region, don't hesitate to try out a 'poutou' (a kiss) or declare that you're feeling 'tranquilou peinard'. You might just discover your new favourite way to speak!
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