An other fascinating French idiom! "Tomber dans les pommes" literally translates as "to fall in the apples"! - What it actually means is to "pass out/to faint"!
In France, in order to be a candidate in a French election, you have to be a French citizen aged 18 years or over and need to collect at least 500 signatures (or parrainages ) from elected officials to back your campaign. The French word “ parrainage” means sponsorship or guardianship. The word derives from “ parrain” – godfather. The signatures can be collected from anyone elected to public office from village mayors to MPs, MEPs and Senators. However, the officials must come from: · At least 30 different French “ départements” (equivalent of counties in the UK) or overseas French territories · With no more than 50 signatures coming from one “ département” or overseas territory. This year, candidates have until March 4th to gain the signatures they need. French social media users have recently spotted many obscure politicians tweeting pi...
Chouchou , pronounced “shou-shou”, has a variety of uses. The word chouchou is mostly used as a childish term of endearment to imply that someone is the favourite person in the group – to this end, it is often used in a school setting, typically to say that someone is a teacher’s pet. “ C’est le chouchou du prof ” ( he is the teacher’s pet). The word chouchoute will be used for a girl or a woman. In broader terms, it can also mean that someone is the favourite (darling) of a nation, political group or a movement. In a different context, chouchou also translates as a “scrunchy” used to hold a ponytail or a bun together. Finally, the term chouchous is used to describe caramelised peanuts, a traditional sweet in France. French language can be complex at times!!!
In France, a woman’s birth name appears on all official documents. While it is common for women from nations such as Ireland, Australia, UK and the USA, to change their name on passports and driving licences when they get married, in France these documents remain in the name you were born with. Upon marrying, a woman in France gains the right to use her spouse’s surname, but it never becomes her actual name. For instance, Monsieur Dubois’s wife may be known as Madame Dubois but her passport, driving licence and all other official documents remain in the name she was born with. For all administrative dealings, Madame Dubois will still be identified by her birth name, Madame Chevalier. Legally speaking – public servants are not allowed to call a citizen by any other name than the one shown on their birth certificate. In the wake of the revolution, a law was passed in August 1794 stating, “No citizen can use a first name or surname other than that written on their bir...
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