Quote:
Originally posted by rockzilla
Funny thing about french (French-Canadian, at least) swears is that they're more derived from religion than bodily functions.
Tabernacle (pronounced without the 'le'), closest to shit or damn in use. I've also heard "Tabersmack", which is just funny, and taberouette (prounounced 'taber-wet'), which I don't understand.
Calisse (sp?) From 'chalice', specifically, the cup that Jesus drank from... don't say it in front of your grandmother, although 'shit' and 'fuck' seem to work their way into normal conversation. You can say "C'est tout fucke" (don't know how to put an accent on the last 'e') to say "It's all fucked up" without being obsene.
|
Nice to see that French-Canadian curses know no bounds!
You are correct, rockzilla. About 90% of all F-C curses are actually blasphemy (usage of religious words in an offensive manner). I will list those I know, in ascending order of severity:
1- Ostie: the host given during Communion to symbolise the body of Christ. This is THE most commonly used F-C swear word and people often end sentences with it without wanting to be offensive. Often spoken like a quick exhale: 'sti. Used as an adjective and an expletive. Subdued form (used to "swear politely"): "ostine."
2- Criss (Christ): bastardization of "Christ" and used to indicate a minor level of irritation or exasperation. Like "ostie", it can be used as an adjective and expletive. Subdued form: "crime."
3- Calvaire: Golgotha or the crucification of Christ. Used as an expletive and a noun, to indicate arduous, undesirable work. No subdued form.
4- Ciboire: cup that contains the host given out during Communion. Only used as an expletive. Subdued form: "ciboulette," which also a plant.
5- Câlisse (chalice): exactly as rockzilla mentioned, it's the chalice used by Christ. This is pretty offensive and is used almost exclusively as an expletive, not an adjective. Subdued form: "câline."
6- Tabarnac (Tabernacle): holy receptacle used to store the "ostie," "ciboire" and "chalice." As it contains many religious icons, it is suitably harsh when spoken as an expletive. Never used as a noun or adjective. Subdued form: "tabarouette."
7- Sacrament (sacrement): same as in English, the 7 sacrements, or acts of Christ, used to symbolize the increase of grace (baptism, confirmation, eucharist, extreme-onction, marriage, ordaining, penitence). This is THE harshest F-C swear word; even I don't use it often and certainly not in front of relatives.
Other swear words (non-religious):
- Va chier: literally "go shit," but is used to mean "fuck you."
- Mongol: retarded
- Ta yeule (ta gueule): shut up
- Maudit: damn(ed)
- guidoune/salope: whore or "loose woman"
- face à claques: literally "slap face," it is what we call someone so stupid we just want to slap him/her.
- Tête de noeuds: "knot head," a stupid person.