Learning french: what does sacquer mean and when should it be used?

YOU MAY BE ABLE TO GUESS ONE OF THE MEANINGS BEHIND THIS INFORMAL TERM THAT SOUNDS JUST LIKE AN ENGLISH EQUIVALENT Have you ever heard a French person drop the word sacquer into casual

conversation?  You might assume this is an anglicism of the verb ‘to sack,’ but watch out for context as sacquer actually has three slightly different meanings.  We look at the origins

behind the word and explain how to use it in everyday French.  Read also: Franglais: what examples do you have? WHAT DOES SACQUER MEAN? This informal saying has a few different meanings: it

can refer to the idea of receiving a bad grade, and also describe getting fired from a job.  You might also hear someone say: je ne peux pas le sacquer. This implies that a certain person

really annoys you, to the point where you cannot stand to be around them. WHAT ARE THE ORIGINS OF SACQUER? Sacquer (which can also be spelled: saquer) is thought to date back to the 19th

Century. The dictionary of the Académie Française states that the word derives from the old expression: donner [à quelqu'un] son sac et ses quilles (to give someone their bag and

skittles).  This was said to describe ‘dismissing’ a person or sending them home.  It can be linked to the English homonym of similar meaning: to get sacked.  Read also: 10 French words and

phrases that are untranslatable in English WHEN DO YOU SAY SACQUER? Use this as a casual way of saying that someone has lost their job: You can also say this word to imply a strong dislike

for someone: Use it in the context of receiving a bad grade or being harshly marked: * J'ai toujours fait de mon mieux, mais cela n'a pas empêché mon prof d’anglais de me sacquer.

Il m’a mis 6 sur 20. - I always tried my best, but that never stopped my English teacher from undermarking me. I got 6 out of 20. TO WHOM DO YOU SAY SACQUER? It is informal language and can

be used with friends and family. It can appear in spoken and written French, in casual situations. You should avoid saying this in formal contexts as it could come across as unprofessional

or inappropriate.  Read also: Learning French: when and why do we say être un rat? Some more neutral alternatives include: * Being fired: licencier, virer * Receiving harsh marks: noter

sévèrement * Disliking someone: ne pas supporter/apprécier * Loathing someone: détester If you would like us to explain a particular word or expression, or if you have any other Learning

French suggestions, let us know at: [email protected]