12 phrases to show why ‘cul’ is a pillar of the french language

THE WORD POPS UP FREQUENTLY IN COMMONLY USED FRENCH EXPRESSIONS For a word which translates as bum, _‘cul_’ certainly crops up a lot in the French language. The _‘cul’_ is often used to

signify the end of something in French. It is important to note that lots of these phrases are used in familiar settings, around people you know well, rather than new neighbours or your

boss. Here are some of the varied ways you might hear ‘_cul_’. 1._ CUL-DE-SAC_ This one we have officially appropriated to Franglais - a cul-de-sac is a street with a dead end, meaning you

can not pass through. Its literal translation is the “bottom of the bag or sack”. 2._ CUL SEC_ - DOWN IN ONE This one has been in the news AMID THE ANTICS OF FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL

MACRON, who was filmed downing a bottle of beer in one. _Cul sec_ literally translates as a ‘dry bottom’ but it also means finishing a drink in one go. READ ALSO: SIX PHRASES TO DESCRIBE

BEING DRUNK IN FRENCH 3. _AVOIR LE CUL BORDÉ DE NOUILLES_ - TO BE LUCKY Literally, this translates as ‘to have the bottom lined with noodles’ however if you hear someone say this to you, it

means they think you are lucky. Along similar lines, the more simple _avoir du cul_ also signifies being lucky or jammy. 4._ BOUCHE EN CUL DE POULE_ - POUTING This refers to the pouty face

people often pull when they are having their photo taken, sometimes referred to as a duck face. Literally, this translates to a ‘mouth like a chicken’s bottom’. 5. _A SE TAPER LE CUL PAR

TERRE_ - VERY FUNNY This is used to describe something that you found very funny. The phrase derives the image of someone rolling on the floor from laughing. Literally, it translates to ‘the

bum hits the floor’. 6._ AVOIR LE CUL ENTRE DEUX CHAISES_ - TO BE STUCK IN THE MIDDLE Literally translating to ‘having your bottom stuck between two chairs’, this signifies being stuck in

the middle, for example between two people arguing, or in a tricky situation when you do not know where to turn. 7._ ÊTRE COMME CUL ET CHEMISE_ - TO BE BEST FRIENDS This literally translates

as ‘to be like the bottom and shirt’, but actually means to be best friends. Just like its French compatriot, the English version, ‘to be as thick as thieves’, is equally nonsensical. 8._

COINCÉ DU CUL_ - UPTIGHT _Coincé_ _du cul _literally translates to ‘stuck in the bottom’ and is used to refer to someone being uptight. _Cul pincé_ is used to say the same thing. READ ALSO

MIND THEIR LANGUAGE: FRENCH PHRASES THAT KIDS SWEAR BY 9._ EN AVOIR PLEIN LE CUL DE QUELQUE CHOSE_ - TO BE SICK AND TIRED OF SOMETHING This means to have had enough of or to be completely

sick and tired of something. It literally translates to ‘having a bottom full of it’. 10._ COUP DE PIED AU CUL_ - KICK UP THE BACKSIDE If you need to motivate someone, you can give them ‘_un

coup de pied au cul_’, otherwise known as a kick up the backside. This is perhaps one of the phrases that makes the most sense; with _cul_ being employed in its traditional form. _Botter le

cul de quelqu’un_ can also be used in the same way. However, this phrase has a double meaning and can also be used in the sense of ‘to kick someone’s butt’. 11._ PÉTER PLUS HAUT QUE SON

CUL_ - TO THINK YOU ARE BETTER THAN OTHERS If someone has got a bit too big for their boots, you can use this to imply that they think they are better than other people. The literal

translation reads ‘to fart higher than your bottom’. 12._ SE BOUGER LE CUL_ - LET US GO/GET MOVING The literal translation would be ‘move your bottom’, so ensure to use this in the correct

company and in a light-hearted manner! The opposite is _pose-cul_ which means sit still or sit down. RELATED ARTICLES PART TWO: FRENCH PODCASTS TO HELP IMPROVE YOUR LANGUAGE SKILLS SEVEN

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