Challenge #8

Since so many of you liked the first article explaining four Quebec French expressions, I thought I’d introduce you to four more.

Is there always a historical link?

In the first article on expressions, I was able to explain the origin and history behind these Quebec expressions. As you can imagine, this isn’t known about every single expression; sometimes it’s just that people have started using a mental image to illustrate what they’re saying, and that’s it.

That’s pretty much the case with today’s four expressions. However, they are even more colorful and widely used in everyday Quebec life.

But let’s start with a quick reminder:

Why is it important to learn expressions?

In Quebec, expressions are at the heart of our daily conversations! In my opinion, since they express an idea or a feeling so clearly, it’s sometimes easier to use them to quickly summarize what we mean, rather than to explain our thoughts from A to Z.

They are mainly used in a more informal context. So, in formal, professional emails, you won’t find expressions. The same goes for job interviews, where the use of expressions will be limited to your interviewer trying to lighten the mood with humor.

Therefore, expressions allow you to fully participate in conversations with your in-laws, coffee breaks with colleagues or simply understand what’s going on at the next table when you’re in a restaurant.

Expression #1 : Attache ta tuque (avec de la broche)

The full expression is “attache ta tuque avec de la broche”, but the short version “attache ta tuque” is also very popular and means the same thing. To help you understand this expression, I’d like to explain two words to you first:

Tuque: a warm hat or cap worn in winter.

Broche: refers to the metal wire used to bind hay.

So, this expression suggests tying your winter hat with metal wire to make sure it stays put.

“Attache ta tuque avec de la broche” means that we need to prepare for what’s to come. That in the near future, we’ll face difficulties or challenges, and that we need to be ready for them. This expression is used very often in Quebec, and by all generations. In fact, it’s often the only explanation we get to describe what’s in store for us.

Examples of how I use it in my life:

1. In Quebec, we never know exactly when winter will end. So it is possible that on March 20th, following a week of warm, sunny weather, I express my joy that spring is here… and my mother says to me “The weather’s fine today, but attache ta tuque because they’re announcing 20 cm of snow the day after tomorrow”.
2. When I was young, I did something stupid and it was decided that my punishment would be several chores around the house. My parents were very angry at what I’d done, so they said, “Attache ta tuque… et avec de la broche, because you won’t get out of this so easily”. I had no idea what kind of chores they were going to make me do, but just from that sentence, I didn’t feel like doing anything stupid again.

Expression #2: Accrocher ses patins

Like every sports metaphor, it seems to me that this expression is used a lot by men, especially hockey fans (which is the majority of men in Quebec). As for me, I rarely use it, although I often hear it in conversations in the cafeteria at lunchtime at work.

“Accrocher ses patins” simply means retiring, or at the very least, stopping an activity, usually a professional one.

Examples of how I use it in my life:

1. The funny thing about this expression is that it can be used to talk about other sports. For example, at a family gathering, two members of my family were talking about a tennis player who was advancing in age. One of them said: “Given his age and his game, I think he is going to “accrocher ses patins” in a couple of years.
2. A friend’s grandfather is still working, despite being nearly 80. He always tells us: “As long as I’m having fun working, I don’t see why I should stop, but the second it’s no longer fun, j’accroche mes patins!”

Expression #3: Tire-toi une bûche

I really like this expression and especially the reaction it provokes among people hearing it for the first time.

Many will think it refers to firing a gun at part of a tree (shoot yourself a log), but nothing could be further from its real meaning.

You have to imagine a group of people, gathered around a campfire, sitting on logs to avoid sitting on the ground. Then, imagine a new person approaching and asking if he or she can join the group. The answer is, “Of course, tire-toi une bûche! (pull/get yourself a log!)”

So it’s a way of inviting someone to sit down, to take a seat next to us. It’s an invitation to make ourselves at home, to join the group.

This is a very informal expression. You would NEVER say “Tirez-vous une bûche” using the formal vous.

Examples of how I use it in my life:

1. When I was National Manager, people were often afraid to bother me. When they knocked on my office door and asked if they could talk to me for a couple of minutes, I’d say “But of course, tire-toi une bûche!” to show that I was available and open to conversation.
2. We’ve all been overwhelmed when visitors arrive. A friend of mine arrived at my house when I hadn’t finished a task, and to let me know that he didn’t mind waiting for me, but didn’t want to do it standing up, he said, “Well then, while I’m waiting for you, je me tire une bûche,” and I replied, “Yes! Make yourself at home, I’ll just be 5 minutes.”

Expression #4: Avoir les mains pleines de pouces

I think that here, the expression (to have your hands full of thumbs) and the mental image it generates speak for themselves. After all, how clumsy would you be if both your hands were made of thumbs? “Having hands full of thumbs” therefore means being rather clumsy, and that manual tasks often end in disaster. On the other hand, someone with les mains pleines de pouces will always be eager to help you or to carry out a task.

Examples of how I use it in my life:

1. Several years ago, when I was moving, some friends came to help me, and one of them announced that he was going to take care of the box of vases and ornaments that said “FRAGILE” on it. Everyone present said “Noooo! take the box of books instead; you always have les mains pleines de pouces.”
2. I tried to teach my best friend how to knit. She understood very well how to do it, but when she showed me her finished scarf… well, let’s just say it was anything but a scarf. She tried again to achieve the same result. I didn’t say anything, just looked surprised at her second attempt and she said, “I know! It seems as soon as I get near the knitting needles, I have les mains pleines de pouces.”

Your challenge:

As with the first expression challenge, I’m asking you to reflect on your past week and find a situation where you could have used each of the four expressions to describe it!

I hope you’ve enjoyed learning these expressions, and look forward to seeing you again soon for new expressions.

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