plouc
Friday, October 10, 2008
Meet "Dotty" (here, with painted "nails" -- desperate not to look like
a plouc). Wouldn't you just love to paint her? Find out how to add your watercolor, oil, pencil, pastel (or other) portait of Dotty to our online gallery. Read the story column here. You can use either photo for inspiration.
plouc (plook) noun, masculine
: country bumpkin, hick, yokel
adjective: dowdy
Know any other definitions for "plouc"? Do you have something to say about today's word? Please share your thoughts in the comments box.
Audio File: listen to the word plouc. Can you hear what Jean-Marc is saying? Post the expression and the translation in the comments box. Download plouc.wav . Download plouc.mp3
In French language learning: Michel Thomas Speak French Advanced: 5-CD Advanced Program
I waved goodbye to the journalist, who was especially beautiful and poised -- graceful in a lovely scarf and gold earrings... just enough, not too much.
I looked down, at my own outfit, shook my head. What was I thinking? Menswear? Next time, I would wear heels... and remember to quit wearing Jean-Marc's socks.
"How did the interview go?" my husband asked, as we stood in the driveway, saluting the journalist as she drove away.
"I talk too much. Blah, blah, blah. Blah, blah, blah." Jean-Marc smiled, knowingly.
"Worse, I sound like a country bumpkin when I speak."
"What is a "country bumpkin"?*" Jean-Marc wanted to know.
"It's the opposite of bourgeoisie."
"Oh," Jean-Marc sympathized. His eyes searched the grape fields for an answer, which he soon found, his focus now on the tractor... just beyond the tumble-down mailboxes. There was a peacefulness and playfulness to what he said next, and it somehow set the record straight.
"Mais, Chérie. Tu es un country bumpkin!"*
* * *
Interview Tips... or "Plooky"* Behavior to Avoid during a Professional Entretien*
=> Don't use toilet paper to dry your nose. (...no matter how much you sweat).
=> Don't serve journalist tap water. (Stock the fridge with soda, once & for all!)
=> Don't mention former fiancé... (find another way, besides name-dropping, to spice up your story)
=> Do not accept journalist's offer to help with laundry. (Next time, get the pajamas off the clothesline before the media arrive.)
=> Don't mention Jesus. Especially mention Jesus! (...and don't forget to throw your arms up into the air -- and wave your whole body in conviction!)
P.S.: I will let you know when the interview is published...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~References~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
country bumpkin = un plouc (m); un entretien (m) = interview; plooky = (Franglais for "hicklike", based on today's word); Mais, Chérie-- tu es un country bumpkin!" = But, Dear -- you are a country bumpkin!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~In The News~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"French Writer Wins Nobel Prize: The Swedish Academy on Thursday awarded the 2008 Nobel Prize for literature to Jean-Marie Gustave Le Clézio, a cosmopolitan and prolific French novelist, children's author and essayist regarded by many French readers and critics as one of the country's greatest living writers." (NY Times)
Read one of Le Clézio's stories, "David", in Short Stories in French: New Penguin Parallel Text
In French salons: Kerastase haircare
Get organized: Map of Paris 12 File Folders
Eiffel Tower Confetti
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