On my last trip to Paris, I was on a mission to try as many new cheeses as possible. The problem, though, was that I was there alone; and more often than not, I was buying cheeses that I would be finishing myself. So in an effort to minimize the size of my waistline, each time I would purchase a new cheese at the fromagerie I would ask for only a small bit. A few days before leaving, I made a trip to the Pascal Beillevaire shop on the rue des Moines, near our Pilleux studio (where I was staying), to pick up a few new favorites. As I explained that I wanted just “un tout petit peu” (very little bit) of Beaufort, the fromager kindly replied: “Une lichette, alors?”

Une lichette indeed! It was a word I had heard recently for the first time, and was exactly what I wanted. According to my Larousse Poche French dictionary, une lichette is a familiar term for a small quantity of a particular food. Since that trip to the Fromagerie Pascal Beillevaire – which, incidentally, has wonderful products and several locations throughout Paris – lichette has become one of my favorite words, and I find it much more fun to use than morceau (morsel), tranche fine (thin slice), or any other term indicating small quantities.

So – next time you want just un tout petit peu of a certain food, give une lichette a try. I promise you will be satisfied!

Written by Sarah Raymond for the HiP Paris Blog. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.

Photo Erica Berman

Over a long Parisian lunch today, my friend Thomas mentioned that he was grumpy this morning and great food and excellent company had put him in a much better frame of mind. I said to to him, “tu étais d’humeur atrabilaire ce matin.” Of the three friends at the table, all French, no-one knew the definition of ‘atrabilaire’ which means irascible, grumpy & just plain bad humor. Donc, if you want to dazzle your friends, French and Anglophone alike… try to use this word in a phrase!

“Atrabilaire désigne quelqu’un porté à la mélancolie mais aussi la mauvaise humeur, à l’irritation, à la colère. ”
Synonyms -    maussade, irascible, acariâtre, acrimonieux, bilieux, coléreux, taciturne.

Étymologie

Mot apparu au XVI^e siècle, dérivé de atrabile.

Nom commun

atrabilaire /a.tʁa.bi.lɛʁ/

1. Personne inquiète.
2. Personne atrabilaire.

   • Un ou une atrabilaire.

Adjectif

atrabilaire /a.tʁa.bi.lɛʁ/

1. Qui caractérise une personne inquiète ou irascible.

   • « De vous dire précisément s’il y a plus de gens à lier dans un pays que dans un autre, c’est ce que mes faibles lumières ne me permettent pas; je sais seulement qu’en général les gens que nous allons voir sont fort atrabilaires. » (Voltaire, Candide)

Quite Simply:

On y va? = Shall we go? (singular)
On y va! = Let’s go! (singular)

Allons-y! = Let’s go! (plural)

Allons-y? (plural)

Forum on On y  va?

Photo & Text by Erica Berman

Words of wisdom after a nice French meal

At the end of a nice French meal (repas), when you are asked if you would like another serving, you may be inclined to say, “non merci, je suis plein.” This is the standard reply in English . . . “no thanks, I’m full.” N’est ce pas?  After this seemingly banal declaration you may notice the Frenchies looking at you just a bit askance. They will have reason. In French to say ‘plein’ in reference to your stomach, usually relates to pregnant, and an animal (for humans it is ‘je suis enceinte’). Thus, by thinking you are telling them you are full and finished eating, they may think you are providing them with way too much information! So, what DO you say to let the French know your tummy is happy and that you no longer need another helping of that wonderful tarte tatin?

The proper expression to express your satiation would be, “non merci, je suis repu.”  Not many of us Anglophones know this, and many make this easy error. Another simple phrase would be ‘non, merci j’en ai eu assez.” This works; “no thanks, I’ve had enough,” but it is lacking any sophistication whatsoever. The French will most likely be forgiving of the ‘plein’, and tolerant of the ‘assez’, but they will be downright tickled with the ‘repu’. Take it from one who knows!

An older usage of the word is to describe a person given to excess in the consumption of food and drink, synonymous with “glutton“.

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