katia and kyliemac learn french

IMPORTANT MESSAGE! So long & thanks for all the fish!

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 11:18:13 +0100

Thanks for following us through so many marvellous adventures, it's been fun!

You can find us here and here!

k&k learn french 128 - les chiens ne font pas des chats

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 16:05:32 +0100

"Les chiens ne font pas des chats" (the apple doesn't fall far from the tree) is not about cats and dogs! It's one of those great expressions you'll hear in lots of different situations. Hear all about it in show 128!

Listen to our explanation of the phrase :

Literal translation
The dogs do not make some cats

English equivalents
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree
To be a chip off the old block
Like father, like son
Like mother, like daughter
Like breeds like
Good seeds make good crops
Blood will out / Blood will tell

French equivalents
Les chats ne font pas des chiens
Tel père, tel fils
Telle mère, telle fille
Avant d'épouser la fille, regarder toujours la mère
Bon sang ne peut pas mentir / ne saurait mentir
Bon chien chasse de race

Frog's phrase
Eugh, hmm, j'ai entendu dire, enfin bon, c'est pas moi qui vous l'ai dit, uh, d'accord? Qu'un ancêtre de Kyliemac travaillait dans la propagande radio diffusé pendant la guerre. Oh, les chiens ne font pas des chats. Bah enfin, je dis ça, je dis rien.

Translation
Umm, so I heard someone say, well, it wasn't me who told you, ok? That one of Kyliemac's ancestors worked in propaganda radio during the war. Well, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Well, you know, I'm just saying, that's all.

k&k learn french 127 - marcher du feu de Dieu

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 15:28:06 +0100

"Marcher du feu de Dieu" (it's a success) is a great expression to know in a business French environment. Hear all about it in show 127!

Literal translation
To walk of the fire of God

English equivalents
It works really well
It's a success
It's selling like hotcakes (only used in certain situations)

French equivalents
Fonctionner parfaitement
Marcher du tonnerre
Marcher du tonnerre de Dieu
Marcher nickel chrome
C'est dans l'âme ("urban youth" vocabulary)

Frog's phrase
Ah, le podcast de Katia et Kyliemac marche du feu de Dieu depuis les photos de Kyliemac en page trois du journal anglais The Sun.

Translation
Ah, the podcast of Katia and Kyliemac has been a roaring success since the photos of Kyliemac were published on page three of the English newspaper The Sun.

k&k learn french 126 - être rond(e) comme une queue de pelle

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 13:33:42 +0100

"Être rond(e) comme une queue de pelle" (to be as drunk as a skunk) is a great expression to use if you are surrounded by people who like to have an occasional tipple. You know, if you're over 18 of course (or 21 in the US. What's up with that?). Hear all about it in show 126.

Literal translation
To be round like a tail of shovel

English equivalents
To be drunk
To be as drunk as a skunk
To be as drunk as a lord
To be as drunk as a sailor on leave
To be as drunk as a fish
To be blind drunk
To be dead drunk
To be pissed (as a newt / out of one's brain / as a fart)
To be three sheets to the wind
To be smashed
To be hammered
To be plastered
To be wasted
To be sloshed
To be in one's cups
To be trashed
To be tanked
To be shit-faced
To be off your face

French equivalents
Être ivre
Être bourré
Être bourré comme un coing
Être beurré comme un petit lu
Être d'équerre
Être fait
Être cuit
Être (complètement) défoncé
Être rond comme un ballon
Être noir
Être plein
Être plein comme une outre
Être plein comme une barrique
Être saoul
Être saoul comme un cochon
Être saoul comme un Polonais
Être torchon-chiffon-carpette
Rouler sous la table
Être dans les vignes du seigneur (old-fashioned)

Before you get to the state of total drunkenness, you can ...
Être pompette
Être paf
Être gris

Frog's phrase
Hier soir j'ai croisé Kyliemac, ronde comme une queue de pelle, dans la rue. Oh j'étais très très embarrassé pour elle, euh. L'alcool fait vraiment des ravages chez les jeunes, euh?

Translation
Last night I came across Kyliemac, as drunk as a sailor on leave, in the street. Oh I was so embarrassed for her. Alcohol truly destroys the young, doesn't it?

k&k learn french 125 - reprendre du poil de la bête

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 19:06:05 +0100

"Reprendre du poil de la bête" (to regain one's strength) is a bit of a tricky expression, although useful for those times when you've been under the weather and are bouncing back again - and we try to explain it to you in show 125.

Literal translation
To take back of the fur of the beast

English equivalents
PHYSICAL
To pick up one's spirits
To regain one's strength
To get back on one's feet
To get back in the saddle
To perk up
To get back to normal
To get a spring back in one's step
To be back with a vengeance
To be back in the pink
MORAL
To pluck up one's courage

French equivalents
PHYSIQUE
Reprendre des forces
Se remettre à cheval
Reprendre des couleurs
Avoir meilleure mine
Se retaper
Se refaire une santé
Se requinquer
Se refaire la frite (que pour les garçons, que entre garçons)
Se refaire la cerise (sense financier)
MORAL
Reprendre le dessus
Reprendre du courage
Retrouver le moral

Frog's phrase
Jean-Pierre a repris du poil de la bête pour la première fois depuis que Pamela l'a quitté. Il s'est teint les cheveux et a créé un profil sur Meetic.

Translation
Jean-Pierre has regained his spirits for the first time since Pamela left him. He dyed his hair and created a profile on Meetic.

k&k learn french 124 - se plier en quatre (pour quelqu'un)

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 19:05:56 +0100

"Se plier en quatre (pour quelqu'un)" (to bend over backwards) is a great expression full of (highly flexible) physical imagery. Hear all about it in show 124.

Listen to our explanation of the phrase :

Literal translation
To fold oneself in four (for someone)

English equivalents
To bend over backwards (for someone/to help someone)
To go to no end of trouble (for someone)
To go out of one's way (for someone)
To go through fire and water (for someone)
To do one's damnedest (for someone)
To do one's utmost (for someone)
To go to great lengths (for someone)
To go above and beyond (for someone)
To jump through hoops (for someone)
To put/stick your neck out (for someone)
To devote oneself entirely/utterly to someone

French equivalents
Se mettre en quatre (pour quelqu'un)
Se donner du mal (pour quelqu'un)
Faire tout son possible (pour quelqu'un)
Faire tout ce qui est possible (pour quelqu'un)
S'évertuer à faire quelque chose (pour quelqu'un)
Se saigner en quatre veines (financially)
Remuer ciel et terre (searching for something)

Note : don't get confused with "être plier en deux" = "to laugh hard" or "to be in pain"

Frog's phrase
Jean-Pierre se pliait en quatre pour assouvir tout les désirs de Pamela. Et pourtant, elle est partie avec le beau plombier sénégalais. Et le lecteur dvd.

Translation
Jean-Pierre bent over backwards to satisfy all of Pamela's desires. Nonetheless, she left with the handsome Senegalese plumber. And the dvd player.

k&k learn french 123 - pisser dans un violon

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 12:29:03 +0100

"Pisser dans un violon" (to piss in the wind) is a brilliant expression to employ for those situations when you feel like you're not getting anywhere with what you're trying to do! Hear all about it in show 123.

Literal translation
To piss in a violin

English equivalents
To piss in the wind
To whistle in the wind
To rake water uphill
To bang your head against a brick wall
It's like talking to a (brick) wall
It's like herding cats
To be a waste of time / To waste time
To be a fat lot of good
To be (fighting) a lost cause
A fool's errand

French equivalents
Servir à rien
Faire quelque chose d'inutile
Vider la mer à la petite cuillère
Remplir un tonneau sans fond
Balayer le sable du désert
C'est peine perdue
Comme si on parlait au mur (côté rélationnelle)
Comme donner un coup d'épée dans l'eau
Comme donner un coup dans l'eau
Travailler pour le roi de Prusse
Travailler pour les prunes (pour la salaire)

NOTE : it's often employed in the following ways: c'est comme si on pissait dans un violon / autant pisser dans un violon !

Frog's phrase
Chaque fois que Frog suggère une nouvelle idée pour le podcast comme, je sais pas moi, créer une nouvelle compagnie aérienne Katia & Kyliemac ou enregistrer un épisode au Stade de France, et bah c'est comme si il pissait dans un violon. Ohhh.

Translation
Every time that Frog suggests a new idea for the podcast like, I don't know, start a new airline called Katia & Kyliemac or record an episode at the Stade de France, well, it's like he's talking to a brick wall.

k&k learn french 122 - un mouton à cinq pattes

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 17:20:04 +0100

"Un mouton à cinq pattes" (a rare bird) is an uncommon yet highly useful expression, especially when you find yourself trying to describe your dream partner...! Hear all about it in Show 122.

Literal translation
A sheep to five feet

English equivalents
A rare bird
A rare breed
A white elephant
The Golden Fleece
A freak of nature

French equivalents
Quelque chose ou quelqu'un de bizarre ou rare
Le cas particulier

Frog's phrase
Katia et Kyliemac voudraient que Frog soit beau, intélligent, drôle, ponctuel et serviable à merci. Non mais, elles cherchent un mouton à cinq pattes ou quoi ?

Translation
Katia and Kyliemac would like Frog to be handsome, intelligent, funny, punctual and eternally at their service. No, seriously, are they looking for a white elephant or what?

k&k learn french 121 - il y a anguille sous roche

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 17:13:11 +0100

"Il y a anguille sous roche" (to smell a rat) is a useful expressions to know when you're talking about politics. Or about small children. Cos you just know they're plotting something ;) Hear all about it in show 121.

Listen to our explanation of the phrase :

Literal translation
There is eel under rock

English equivalents
To smell a rat
There is something in the wind
There is a snake in the grass
There is something afoot
There is mischief in the air
Something is up
Something is going on
Something fishy is going on
Something smells fishy
Something is afoot
Something isn't kosher
Something's rotten in the state of Denmark

French equivalents (this expression is positive OR negative)
Il y a baleineau sous gravillon
Il y a baleine sous gravillon
Il y a quelque chose de louche
Il se trame quelque chose
Sentir une embrouille
Sentir le coup fourré
Sentir le coup tordu
ça craint
Ne pas le sentir (j'le sens pas)
C'est pas très catholique
ça sent le soufre
ça sent le brûlé
ça sent le roussi

Frog's phrase
Depuis la fuite d'eau dans les toilettes il y a anguille sous roche entre Pamela et le beau plombier sénégalais.

Translation
Since the leak in the toilets, something fishy has been going on between Pamela and the handsome Senegalese plumber.

k&k learn french 120 - ne pas changer une équipe qui gagne

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 29 May 2011 15:40:06 +0100

"Ne pas changer une équipe qui gagne" (if it isn't broken, don't fix it) is one of those great expressions you can use in lots of situations and with lots of different people! Hear all about it in show 120.

Literal translation
Not change a team who wins

English equivalents
If it isn't broken, don't fix it / If it ain't broke, don't fix it
Don't mess with a good thing
Don't mess with success
Stick with a winning formula
Stick with a winning combination
Why reinvent the wheel
Don't change horses midstream
Leave well enough alone
Don't change a winning team (note : only in sport)

French equivalents
On ne change pas de monture au milieu du gué
On ne change pas de cheval au milieu du gué

Common usage : Il faut pas changer une équipe qui gagne / Pourquoi changer une équipe qui gagne / On ne change pas une équipe qui gagne

Frog's phrase
Ah non, ah, il est hors de question que Johnny Depp remplace Frog dans le podcast. Non, non, il faut pas changer une équipe qui gagne. N'est-ce pas?

Translation
Oh no, it's out of the question that Johnny Depp replaces Frog on the podcast. No, no, no, don't mess with success. Right?

k&k learn french 119 - tenir la chandelle

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 22 May 2011 19:00:18 +0100

"Tenir la chandelle" (to be the third wheel) is just one of those things we all find ourselves doing from time to time. Find out all about it in show 119!

Literal translation
To hold the candle

English equivalents
To play gooseberry
To be the third wheel
To be a third wheel
To be the fifth wheel (on the wagon)
To be the spare dick at a wedding

French equivalents
None! Zip! Zilch! Nada! Nothing! There are no French equivalents to this phrase!

Frog's phrase
Pendant que Katia et le Muffin Man dînent en amoureux dans le plus beau restaurant de la ville Kyliemac leur tient la chandelle et se ressert du vin.

Translation
Whilst Katia and the Muffin Man have a romantic dinner in the most wonderful restaurant in town, Kyliemac plays gooseberry and serves herself some more wine.

NOTE : It's not être la cinquième roue du carrosse / la charrette / la brouette which means unusefulness.

k&k learn french 118 - avoir la tête dans le cul

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 15 May 2011 18:16:32 +0100

Admit it. We've all been there. We've all had a hard time waking up in the morning, whether it's because we haven't had enough sleep, have been enjoying ourselves a little too much the previous night or we're simply too cosy in bed. "Avoir la tête dans le cul" (to be half-asleep) is the perfect expression in this situation! Hear all about it in show 118.

Literal translation
To have the head in the arse

English equivalents
To be half-asleep
To have a fuzzy head
To have a head like cotton wool
To be brain-dead
To be in a coma
To feel like crap
To feel like shit
To be out of it
To feel worse for wear
To feel groggy (as hell)
To feel like death warmed over
To feel like death warmed up
To be zombified

French equivalents
Avoir la tête dans le seau
Avoir la tête dans le pâté
Être dans le pâté
Être dans le brouillard
Être dans les vapes
Être dans le coltar
Être un zombie
Être (très) mal réveillé
Être cul par dessus tête
Avoir la tête à l'énvers
Avoir besoin d'allumettes
Marcher au radar
Ne pas avoir les yeux en face des trous

Frog's phrase
La pauvre Kyliemac, elle a vraiment la tête dans le cul depuis quelle a fait la poussière chez Frog.

Translation
Poor Kyliemac, she's half-asleep after doing the dusting at Frog's place.

k&k learn french 117 - mon petit doigt m'a dit

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 08 May 2011 18:40:26 +0100

"Mon petit doigt m'a dit" (a little birdie told me) is yet another fantastic kid-friendly phrase that you can use to get a sneaky message across to little people! Hear all about it in show 117.

Literal translation
My little finger me has said

English equivalents
A little bird(ie) told me
A little bird whispered in my ear
A little mouse told me
I heard it through the grapevine
Word on the street is

French equivalents
Il paraît que...
Je soupçonne que...
J'ai entendu que...
J'ai appris que...
Quelqu'un m'a dit

Frog's phrase
Mon petit doigt me dit que Katia va encore trouver au moins une ou deux araignées sous son lit avant la fin de la journée.

Translation
A little birdie told me that Katia is going to find at least one or two spiders under her bed again before the end of the day.

k&k learn french 116 - jouer la comédie

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 01 May 2011 19:19:27 +0100

"Jouer la comédie" (to put on an act) is really the perfect idiom to employ when you're telling a 9 year old to stop acting like eating his brussel sprouts is the worst kind of torture. Hear all about it in show 116.

Literal translation
To play the comedy

English equivalents
To put on an act
To be faking something
To fake it
To feign
To pretend
To lie
To do one's party piece

French equivalents
Feindre
Mentir
Faire semblant
Faire du cinéma
Faire la comédie
Faire son numéro

Frog's phrase
Et t'as entendu? Il paraît que Katia s'est fait mordre par un dinosaure dans son jardin. Ouais, enfin bon, tu sais Katia, elle joue un peu la comédie, hein, quand même.

Translation
Oh did you hear? Katia got bitten by a dinosaur in her garden. Well, hmm, you know Katia, she really does put on an act sometimes.

k&k learn french 115 - pleurer comme une madeleine

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 21:25:29 +0100

Do you have a friend that cries at cute little puppies and Hallmark card ads? Well in show 115 you'll hear all about how to say that they cry a lot!

Literal translation
To cry like a shell shaped cake / a reformed prostitute

English equivalents
To cry like a baby
To cry one's eyes out
To cry a river
To cry one's heart out
To cry buckets
To cry bitterly
To cry oneself dry
To burst into tears
To sob (hysterically)
To break into tears
To bawl
To collapse into tears
To dissolve into tears
To shed tears
To blubber

French equivalents
Pleurer beaucoup
Pleurer sans cesse
Pleurer à chaudes larmes
Pleurer toutes les larmes de son corps
Pleurer comme une vache
Pleurer comme un veau
Pleurer comme une fontaine
Fondre en larmes
Verser des larmes

Frog's phrase
Chaque fois que Katia voit un adorable petit enfant, oh, elle pleure comme une madeleine. Ou pas.

Translation
Every time Katia sees an adorable little child, oh, she cries like a baby. Or not.

k&k learn french 114 - monter sur ses grands chevaux

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 19:46:09 +0100

"Monter sur ses grands chevaux" (to get on one's high horse) is a great expression to describe a person getting particularly passionate about a certain subject. Hear all about it in show 114.

Listen to our explanation of the phrase :

Literal translation
To climb on one's big horses

English equivalents
To get on one's high horse
To blow one's top
To get huffy about something
To get upset about something
To get one's dander up
To get carried away about something
(Alternatives : get off your high horse, to get off your bike, knock someone off their high horse)

French equivalents
Se mettre en colère
Être outré
S'emporter
Se fâcher
Sortir de ses gonds
Piquer une crise
(Alternatives : ne pas monter sur ses grands chevaux)

Frog's phrase
Katia monte sur ses grands chevaux dès qu'on lui parle des champignons.

Translation
Katia really gets on her high horse as soon as you bring up the topic of mushrooms.

k&k learn french 113 - (il n')y a pas un chat

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 19:40:58 +0100

"Y a pas un chat" (there's no one around) is a useful expression to describe the empty Paris streets at 6am (Paris is not a city of early risers!). Hear all about it show 113.

Literal translation
There is not a cat

English equivalents
There isn't anyone in sight
There's no one around
There's not a (living) soul (to be seen)
It's a ghost town
The streets are empty

French equivalents
(Il n')y a personne
(Il n')y a pas âme qui vive
(Il n')y a pas l'ombre d'un chat
(Il n')y a pas un rat (mort)
(Il n')y a pas un pékin
C'est désert

Frog's phrase
Le quartier de Kyliemac a beau être très chic, le soir après vingt heures, il y a pas un chat dans la rue.

Translation
Even though Kyliemac's neighbourhood is very chic, after 8pm at night, there's not a soul to be seen!

k&k learn french 112 - tailler un short (à quelqu'un)

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 19:36:50 +0100

"Tailler un short" (to gossip about someone) is yet another one of those expressions that is useful to know when you have a friend like Frog. Hear all about it in show 112.

Literal translation
To carve a shorts

English equivalents
To rip someone to shreds
To gossip about someone
To talk about someone behind their back

French equivalents
Dire du mal de quelqu'un (pas forcement derrière son dos)
Tailler un costume à quelqu'un
Tailler un costard à quelqu'un
Tailler une veste à quelqu'un
Habiller quelqu'un pour l'hiver (le voilà habiller pour l'hiver)
Rebaisser quelqu'un
Casser du sucre sur le dos de quelqu'un

Frog's phrase
Après sa pièce de théatre, Katia et Kyliemac ont vraiment taillé un short à Frog. Eh beh, voilà, il les inviteras plus. Voilà. Tiens.

Translation
After his play, Katia and Kyliemac really ripped Frog to shreds. Well there you go, he'll never invite them back again. Hmph.

NOTE : (Se faire) tailler un short
English equivalent : To almost get hit by a car / To have a close shave / To have a close call
French equivalent : Une voiture est passée juste à côté (il a failli se faire tailler un short en traversant la rue)

k&k learn french 111 - être une langue de pute

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 19:30:30 +0100

"Être une langue de pute" (to be a backstabber) is a phrase we like to use about Frog. For obvious reasons, as you will discover in show 111.

Literal translation
To be a tongue of whore

English equivalents
To be a salacious gossip
To be bitchy
To be a backbiter
To be a shit-talker
To have a vicious tongue
To be a backstabber

French equivalents
Être une langue de vipère
Être médisant(e)
Être une commère
Dire du mal de quelqu'un dans son dos

Frog's phrase
Quelle langue de pute, cette Janilani! Quand je pense à toute les méchancetés qu'elle raconte à Variri au sujet de Katia et Kyliemac... Ah beh alors, franchement...

Translation
What a backstabber she is, that Janilani! When I think about all the mean things she's said to Variri about Katia and Kyliemac... Well, seriously...

k&k learn french 110 - mettre les pieds dans le plat

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 19:36:12 +0100

"Mettre les pieds dans le plat" (to speak frankly) can be a very useful expression to describe a situation when something just needs to be said! Hear all about it in Show 110.

Literal translation
To put the feet in the dish

English equivalents
To say something flat out
To not mince words
To come right out and say something
To speak frankly
To talk about the elephant in the room
To put one's foot in one's mouth - but ONLY SOMETIMES! This means to make a mistake or a blunder, with consequent embarrassment or regret on behalf of the speaker. "Mettre les pieds dans le plat" doesn't ALWAYS have this implication, instead it often implies a conscious decision to talk about something.

French equivalents
Être maladroit(e)
Parler franchement (pendant que les autres tournent atour du pot)
Dire la vérité qui fâche
Appeler un chat un chat
Faire une gaffe

Frog's phrase
Frog a encore mis les pieds dans le plat lorsqu'il a demandé à la femme enceinte si elle attendait des jumeaux.

Translation
Frog once again didn't mince words when he asked the pregnant lady if she was expecting twins.

k&k learn french 109 - avoir un métro de retard

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 16:11:46 +0100

"Avoir un métro de retard" (to be a bit slow on the uptake) is one of those fun expressions that's very useful for those of us who like to laugh at ourselves! Hear all about it in show 109!

Literal translation
To have a metro of late

English equivalents
To be a bit slow (to catch on)
To be slow on the uptake
To miss the boat
To be behind
To have a blonde moment

French equivalents
Ne pas suivre quelque chose
Avoir un train de retard
Avoir du retard
Avoir du retard à l'allumage
Avoir une longueur de retard
Être long à la comprenette

Frog's phrase
Jean-Pierre a toujours un métro de retard avec les blagues de Pamela. Tu m'étonnes qu'elle l'ait quitté pour le beau plombier sénégalais.

Translation
Jean-Pierre is always a bit slow on the uptake with Pamela's jokes. It's not surprising that she left him for the handsome Senegalese plumber.

k&k learn french 108 - casser du sucre sur le dos de quelqu'un

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 16:01:34 +0100

"Casser du sucre sur le dos de quelqu'un" (to talk (about someone) behind their back) is a really useful expression if you like to engage in a little bit of gossip now and again! Hear all about it in show 108!

Literal translation
To break some sugar on the back of someone

English equivalents
To talk (about someone) behind their back
To bitch (about someone) behind their back
To backbite someone
To bad-mouth someone
To backstab someone
To rip someone to shreds (behind their back)
To gossip about someone
To criticise someone (behind their back)
To speak ill of someone
To talk trash about someone
To trash-talk someone

French equivalents
Critiquer quelqu'un (to criticise someone)
Dire du mal de quelqu'un (to speak badly of someone)
Parler dans le dos de quelqu'un (to speak in the back of someone)
Dire des méchancetés/vacheries/saloperies sur quelqu'un (to say nasties/bitchy remarks about someone)
Dénigrer quelqu'un (denigrate someone)
Parler derrière le dos de quelqu'un (to speak behind the back of someone)
Habiller quelqu'un de toutes pièces (to dress someone of all pieces)
Habiller quelqu'un (to dress someone)

Frog's phrase
Pamela aime bien discuter avec sa meilleure amie Mary-Jane, et casser du sucre sur le dos de Jean-Pierre pendant qu'il regarde TF1.
Translation
Pamela likes talking with her best friend Mary-Jane, and to backstab Jean-Pierre whilst he watches TF1.

k&k learn french 107 - être plus royaliste que le roi

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 15:58:17 +0100

"Être plus royaliste que le roi" (to go overboard) is a commonly used expression but which is quite tricky to explain and provide a good translation in English, as you'll hear about show 107.

Literal translation
To be more royalist than the king

English equivalents
To be more Catholic than the Pope
To go overboard

French equivalents
Être plus catholique que le Pape (to be more Catholic than the Pope)
Faire des excès de zèle (to have an excess of zeal)

Frog's phrase
Au début de l'aventure du podcast, Kyliemac était toujours plus royaliste que le roi. Elle supprimait les gros mots, et les petits bruits de tout, elle raccourcissait aussi les rires de Katia. Maintenant, trois ans plus tard, elle en a plus rien à foutre.
Translation
At the beginning of the podcast, Kyliemac was always going overboard. She deleted swear words and all sorts of little noises, and she shortened Katia's laughter. Now, three years later, she doesn't give a shit.

k&k learn french 106 - avoir du pain sur la planche

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 15:53:49 +0100

"Avoir du pain sur la planche" (to have a lot to do) is an expression often heard in the French workplace and at school (well, pretty much everywhere work is involved!), as you'll hear in show 106.

Literal translation
To have some bread on the board

English equivalent
To have a lot to do
To have lots to do
To have a lot on one's plate
To have one's work cut out (for them)
To be busy
To have a lot going on
(Note : to have too much on one's plate = to have too much stuff going on)

French equivalent
Avoir beaucoup de choses à faire (to have a lot of things to do)
Avoir beaucoup de travail (to have a lot of work)
Avoir encore du pain sur la planche (to have still some bread on the board)
Rester encore du pain sur la planche (there remains still some bread on the board)

Frog's phrase
Katia et Kyliemac ont du pain sur la planche avant l'episode 333, parce qu'entre nous, tout ce qu'elle font pour l'instant c'est boire du pineau.
Translation
Katia and Kyliemac have got their work cut out for them before episode 333, because between us, all they're doing for now is drinking pineau.

k&k learn french 105 - être un enculeur de mouches

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 18:06:13 +0100

"Être un enculeur de mouches" (to be nitpicky) is certainly an interesting expression when you break it down into English - find out all about it, as well as how to say it in a variety of different ways, in Show 105.

Literal translation
To be buggerer of flies

English equivalent
To be a nitpicker
To be nitpicky
To be pernickety
To split hairs
To be anally retentive

French equivalent
Être pointilleux (à l'excès)
Être tatillon
Pinailler
Se perdre dans les détails
Chercher la petite bête
Couper les cheveux en quatre
Se prendre la tête
Sodomiseur des dipthères

Frog's phrase
Jean-Pierre est un enculeur de mouches en vacances. Si Pamela ne suit pas éxactement sa façon de faire, il ménace de rompre avec elle.
Translation
On holidays, Jean-Pierre is so anally retentive. If Pamela doesn't do exactly what he wants to do, he threatens to break up with her.

k&k learn french 104 - chier une pendule

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 16:22:59 +0100

"Chier une pendule" (to get your knickers in a knot) is quite a strong idiom that you'll hear in movies and on the street - we highly recommend you listen to show 104 to find out other ways of saying it so that your mother isn't forced to wash your mouth out with soap.

Literal translation
To shit a grandfather clock

English equivalent
To get your knickers in a knot
To get your panties in a bunch
To get worked up about something
Make a song and dance about something
To go ape-shit
To get all het up
To chuck a hissy fit

French equivalent
Ne pas nous en chier une pendule (don't go shitting a grandfather clock on us)
S'enerver (to get worked up)
S'agiter (to get shaken up)
Faire un caca nerveux (to make a nervous poop - see k&k learn french #21)
En faire toute une histoire (of it to make all a mountain k&k learn french #91)
En faire un pataquès (of it to make an error of phonetic liaison between words(!!))
Piquer une crise (to sting a crisis)

Frog's phrase
Chaque fois que Frog appel en plein enregistrement du podcast, Kyliemac nous chie toute une pendule.
Translation
Every time Frog calls during the recording of the podcast, Kyliemac goes totally ape-shit.

k&k learn french 103 - être emballé

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 16:05:22 +0100

"Être emballé" (to be thrilled) is a slightly outdated expression but one you will come across in movies and books. Hear all about it in show 103.

Literal translation
To be wrapped up

English equivalent
To be thrilled
To be excited
To be taken with

French equivalent
Être content (to be happy)
Être charmé (to be charmed)
Être enthousiaste (to be enthusiastic)
Être enchanté (to be enchanted)
Être ravi (to be delighted)

Important note
Today, this phrase is most commonly used in the negative form, "ne pas être emballé" (to not be wrapped up = to not be excited about)

Frog's phrase
Katia est emballée chaque fois qu'un auditeur envoie des bonbons. Ah, elle est emballée aussi dès qu'un auditeur envoie un mail. Ah, et puis elle est emballée aussi quand il neige. Et quand il fait beau. Tout cette emballement, c'est suspect... ça doit être les médicaments.
Translation
Katia gets excited whenever a listener sends lollies. She also gets excited whenever a listener sends an email. And, well, she also gets excited when it snows. And when it's nice outside. All this excitement, it's suspicious... it must be the medication.

k&k learn french 102 - punaise

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 20:10:02 +0100

"Punaise" (shoot/sugar) is an extremely useful word if you realise you're about to swear (in French) in front of small childrens or your boss. Hear all about it in show 102.

Literal translation
Stinkbug or Thumbtack or Drawing pin

English equivalents
-Shoot
Sugar
Fruit
Fudge
Far out
Dang
Gosh

French equivalents
Mercredi (Wednesday)
Merdouille
Zut
Crotte (poop)
La vache (k&k learn french 48)
Purée

Frog's phrase
Mamie a regardé Kyliemac de haut en bas et d'un coup s'est écriée "Punaise! C'est quoi ces chaussures?"
Translation
Mamie looked Kyliemac up and down and suddenly burst out, "Dang! What's up with those shoes?"

k&k learn french 101 - être mal luné

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 18:35:20 +0100

"Etre mal luné" (to be in a bad mood) is a useful phrase if you're speaking about, well, basically anyone you encounter on the Paris métro! Hear all about it in show 101.

Literal translation
To be bad mooned

English equivalent
To have gotten out of the wrong side of bed
To be grumpy
To be cranky
To be crabby
To be grouchy
To be in a bad mood
To be going through that time of the month / to be on your rags

French equivalent
Être de mauvaise humeur (to be in a bad mood)
Être d'une humeur noire (to be in a black mood)
Être de mauvais poil (to be of bad hair)
Être d'une humeur massacrante (to be in a massacring mood)
Être un ours mal leché (to be a badly licked bear)
Faire l'oeil noir (to do a black eye)
Faire la tronche (to do a face)
Faire la gueule (to do a muzzle)
Ruminer (to ruminate)
S'être lévé du mauvais pied (to get up on the wrong foot)

Frog's phrase
Muffin Man et Frog sont mal lunés aujourd'hui. Ah, ils n'ont pas encore mangé - ça doit être pour ça.
Translation
The Muffin Man and Frog are in such bad moods today. Oooh, they haven't eaten yet - it must be because of that!

k&k learn french 100 VIDEO EDItION - avec ma bite et mon couteau

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 15:34:17 +0100

To celebrate the 100th episode of k&k learn french, we've made a super special video version of the show (as well as the usual audio version)! See exactly what happens when we record in the studio!

k&k learn french 100 - avec ma bite et mon couteau

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 15:14:08 +0100

"Avec ma bite et mon couteau" (to make do) is one of those expressions that you'll hear around the French world but which needs to be used very carefully. And to be honest... there's really no way to make this phrase elegant, as you'll hear in show 100!

As a way of celebrating our 100th episode of k&k learn french, check out the video version of this podcast and see what really happens when we record in the k&k studio!

Literal translation
With my dick and my knife

English equivalent
To make do
To make do with what one has got to hand / on hand
To do something with the bare essentials
With the clothes on one's back

French equivalent
Se débrouiller (to manage)
Avec peu de moyens (with few means)
Avec ma flûte et mon couteau (with my flute and my knife)

Frog's phrase
Depuis que Pamela l'a quitté pour le plombier sénégalais, Jean-Pierre est parti sur les routes de l'Afrique du Nord avec sa bite et son couteau pour reconquérir Pamela.
Translation
Since Pamela left him for the Senegalese plumber, Jean-Pierre has hit the roads of North Africa with nothing but the clothes on his back to regain Pamela's heart.

k&k learn french 99 - se mettre sur son 31 (trente-et-un)

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 17:48:15 +0100

"Se mettre sur son 31 / trente-et-un" (to get dressed to the nines) is an expression you'll often hear regarding getting really dressed up to go out on the town - find out all about it in show 99.

Literal translation
To put oneself on his thirty and one

English equivalent
To get dressed to the nines
To get dressed up
To get gussied up
To get dolled up
To put on your glad rags
To wear your Sunday best

French equivalent
Être sur son 31 (to be on one's 31)
S'habiller sur son 31 (to get dressed on one's 31)
Se mettre en grand tenue (to put on one's best clothing)
Se mettre ses plus beaux atours (to put on one's nicest finery)
S'habiller en tenue de gala (to dress oneself in formal clothes)
S'habiller (to get dressed up)
S'habiller en dimanche (to get dressed up for Sunday)
S'en dimancher (to Sunday oneself)

Frog's phrase
Pamela se met sur son trente-et-un chaque fois que le beau plombier Sénégalais vient réparer son robinet.
Translation
Pamela gets dressed to the nines every time the handsome Senegalese plumber comes to repair her tap.

k&k learn french 98 - rikiki (riquiqui)

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 17:36:39 +0100

"Rikiki / riquiqui" (small) is an informal term that the French employ a lot, about all sorts of things - hear all about it in show 98.

Literal translation
Laugh-who-who

English equivalent
Tiny
Poky
Small
Measly
Skimpy
Miniscule
Pitiful
Scummy

French equivalent
Petit (small)
Tout-petit (all small)
Miniscule (miniscule)
Etriqué (skimpy)
Mesquin (petty/cheap)
Minable (pathetic)

Frog's phrase
Depuis son retour de vacances au Sénégal, Pamela trouve le zizi de Jean-Pierre tout rikiki.
Translation
Since she came back from holidays in Senegal, Pamela finds Jean-Pierre's penis quite small.

k&k learn french 97 - il y a du monde au balcon

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 16:57:52 +0100

"Il y a du monde au balcon" (she's got big boobs) is one of those phrases you won't often hear in polite company, but you'll hear it in movies and sometimes on the street (especially if you are a young lady walking past a construction site and you keep hearing people talking about balconies...). Hear all about it and, more importantly, find out how else to say it with a little more decorum, in show 97.

Literal translation
There is a world at the balcony

English equivalent
She is well endowed
She's got big boobs
She's got big knockers
She's got a huge rack
She's got a big bosom
She's busty
She's buxom
She's got a large chest

French equivalent
Elle a une belle poitrine (she has a beautiful chest)
Elle a une grosse poitrine (she has a large chest)
Elle a une forte poitrine (she has a strong chest)
Elle a une poitrine généreuse (she has a generous chest)
Elle est plantureuse (she is buxom)

Frog's phrase
Je ne sais pas ce que vous pensez de Katia ; moi je trouve qu'elle est charmante, sympathique, belle et puis... euh... il y a du monde au balcon... hehehe.
Translation
I don't know what you think about Katia, but I find her charming, nice, beautiful and then... well... she's got a huge rack... hehehe.

k&k learn french 96 - bon sang

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 17:41:10 +0100

It's a bit archaic but "bon sang" (good gosh) is an expression you'll hear or see on occasion - hear all about it in show 96.

Literal translation
Good blood

English equivalent
Good grief
Good gosh
Goodness gracious (me)
Good golly (miss molly)
Crikey
Oh my gosh
Freaking heck
Flipping heck
Bloody heck
Dammit
For crying out loud
Damn

French equivalent
Sacré bleu
Zut
Flûte
Punaise
Mince

Frog's phrase
Vous avez vu ce que portait Frog l'autre soir lors de l'enregistrement du podcast. Oh bon sang, il faudrait que quelqu'un lui dise de ne plus porter les t-shirts rose!
Translation
Did you see what Frog was wearing during the last podcast? Oh my goodness, someone has got to tell him to stop wearing pink t-shirts!

k&k learn french 95 - la bête noire

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 17:09:40 +0100

"La bête noire" (bête noire) is one of those very interesting terms which is also employed in English. Listen to show 95 as we explain how to use it and some of the difficulties we had in providing the correct translation!

Literal translation
The beast black

English equivalent
Bête noire
Bugbear
Bane of one's existence
Anathema

French equivalent
none

Frog's phrase
Vous êtes certainement d'accord avec moi, mais moi, ma bête noire, c'est quand Katia et Kyliemac font grincer leur popper-stoppers... Oh oui, ça, c'est ma bête noire, hein.
Translation
You will surely agree with me... the bane of my existence is when Katia and Kyliemac squeak their popper-stoppers... oh yes, that... that is my bête noire...

k&k learn french 94 - pile-poil

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 16:55:24 +0100

"Pile-poil" (exactly, right on time) is a phrase you'll hear quite often in France (but certainly not about people arriving for parties). Hear all about it in show 94.

Literal translation
Just hair

English equivalent
Exactly
Just
Right on time
On the dot
On the nose

French equivalent
Parfaitement
Exactement
Précisement
Pile

Frog's phrase
Pour une fois, Frog est arrivé pile-poil à l'heure dans le Not Coffee table Studio. (Katia et Kyliemac ont pété un cable - desormais, elles habitent à Monaco.)
Translation
For once, Frog arrived exactly on time in the Not Coffee table Studio. (Katia and Kyliemac were blown away - now they live in Monaco)

k&k learn french 93 - ce n'est pas sorcier

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:35:23 +0100

"Ce n'est pas sorcier" (it's not rocket science) is not just the name of a popular kids show in France - hear all about how to use it in everyday langage in show 93.

Literal translation
It is not wizardry

English equivalent
It's not magic
It's not rocket science
It's easy
It's dead easy
It's not complicated
It's a piece of cake
It's easy as pie
It's easy peasy lemon squeezy
It's child's play
You don't need to be a neurosurgeon

French equivalent
C'est pas sorcier
C'est pourtant pas sorcier
C'est pas compliqué
C'est simple
C'est facile
C'est fastoche
C'est pas difficile
C'est un jeu d'enfant
C'est pas la mer à boire (see k&k learn french #3)
C'est pas un casse-tête
C'est pas la peine d'avoir fait la polytechnique

Frog's phrase
Mais Kyliemac, trouver quelqu'un en France pour parler français, mais c'est quand même pas sorcier!
Translation
But Kyliemac, finding someone in France to speak French with, it's not rocket science!

k&k learn french 92 - vouloir le beurre (et l'argent du beurre)

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:24:05 +0100

"Vouloir le beurre (et l'argent du beurre" (to have one's cake and eat it too) is a versatile expression that you can use with many different people, as you'll hear in show 92.

Literal translation
To want the butter (and the money of the butter)

English equivalent
To have one's cake and eat it (too)
To want it all
To have it both ways ("you can't have it both ways")

French equivalent
Tout vouloir
Vouloir le beurre et l'argent du beurre et le sourire de la crémière

Frog's phrase
Frog rève de son spin-off et du succès, mais il est trop paraisseux - il voudrait le beurre et l'argent du beurre.
Translation
Frog dreams of a spin-off and success, but he is too lazy - he wants to have his cake and eat it too.

k&k learn french 91 - en faire (toute) une montagne

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:14:07 +0100

"En faire une montagne" (to make a mountain out of a molehill) is the perfect expression to use with the drama queens in your life. Listen to our explanation in show 91!

Literal translation
Of it to make (all) a mountain

English equivalent
To make a mountain out of a molehill
To make a big deal out of nothing
To create a storm in a teacup
To make a drama out of nothing
To make a fuss about nothing
To kick up a fuss about nothing
To blow something out of proportion
To exaggerate

French equivalent
Exagérer
En faire (tout) un scandale
Être une marseillaise

Frog's phrase
Chaque fois que Katia raconte une histoire, elle en fait toute une montagne.
Translation
Every time Katia tells a story, she blows everything out of proportion.

k&k learn french 90 - avoir les boules

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 15:51:18 +0100

"Avoir les boules" (to be frustrated) is an expression that can be used for many occasions in France, such as trying to get the attention of the florist/butcher/fromager who is apparently picking everyone else even though you got there first... Find out all about it in show 90!

Literal translation
To have the balls

English equivalent
To be frustrated
To be aggravated
To be stressed
To be anxious

French equivalent
Être angoissé
Avoir les glandes

Frog's phrase
C'est difficile à croire mais la première fois que Frog est venu dans le Coffee table Studio, il avait vraiment les boules!
Translation
It's difficult to believe, but the first time that Frog came to the Coffee table Studio, he was really anxious!

k&k learn french 89 - aller se faire voir (chez les grecs)

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 15:37:22 +0100

"Aller se faire voir" (va te faire voir) (piss off) is hopefully a phrase that you'll never have to use yourself, but you'll definitely hear it in the movies or in arguments. Hear all about it in show 89.

Literal translation
To go to make oneself see (at the home of the Greeks)

English equivalent
Get lost
Go jump in a lake
Go jump in a creek
Get on your bike
Go take a long walk off a short pier
Go jump
Go to hell
Piss off
Fuck off

French equivalent
Dégager
Aller voir ailleurs, si vous y êtes (va voir ailleurs, si j'y suis)
Aller au diable
Aller se faire cuire un oeuf
Se casser (casse-toi)
Aller se faire foutre
Aller se faire enculer

Frog's phrase
Après l'incident de la semaine dernière, Katia a demandé à Kyliemac d'aller se faire voir quand elle lui a demandé de ne plus boire du vin à côté du mixer.
Translation
After last week's "incident", Katia told Kyliemac to go jump when she asked her to stop drinking wine next to the mixer.

k&k learn french 88 - courir sur le haricot

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 15:21:53 +0100

"Courir sur le haricot" (to get on someone's nerves) is all about expressing annoyance! Very useful if you're taking care of small childrens ;) Hear all about it in show 88.

Literal translation
To run on the bean

English equivalents
To irritate someone
To annoy someone
To get on someone's nerves
To bug someone
To try someone's patience
To piss someone off

French equivalents
Agacer
Embêter
Énerver
Enquiquiner
Casser les pieds (see k&k learn french #29)
Gonfler
Courir
Faire chier
Emmerder
Briser les couilles

Frog's phrase
Mais Symphony, arrête de marcher sur le mixer! Ah, tu commence vraiment à me courir sur l'haricot, hein! Ooooh!
Translation
Oh Symphony, stop walking on the mixer! You are really starting to get on my nerves!

k&k learn french 87 -cassé

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 13:00:23 +0100

In show 87 we talk about the expression "cassé!" (in your face!), made famous by the film Brice de Nice and often used by little kids who think they're hilarious.

Literal translation
Broken

English equivalent
Definition : to get put in one's place
Denied
In your face
Slam
Burn
Owned

French equivalent
none

Frog's phrase
Lorsque Katia a croisé Johnny Depp chez Monoprix, il lui a demandé 500 g de merguez ! Ha ! Cassé Katia, cassé !

Translation
When Katia bumped into Katia at Monoprix, he asked her for 500g of merguez! Ha! Denied, Katia, denied!

k&k learn french 86 - être au bout du rouleau

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 14:39:44 +0100

"Être au bout du rouleau" (to be at the end of one's rope / tether) is a useful expression for when you're both running out of options AND running out of toilet paper! Find out everything you need to know about the pronounciation of this phrase and who you can use it with in show 86.

Literal translation
To be at the end of the toilet roll

English equivalent
To be at the end of one's tether
To be at the end of one's rope
To be out of options
To be at the breaking point

French equivalent
Être epuisé (to be exhausted)
Être sans ressources (to be out of resources)
Être à bout de souffle (to be at the end of the breath)

Frog's phrase
Oh, Kyliemac est au bout du rouleau à cause de son mémoire. Vite! Une dose de Philexis pour Kyliemac!
Translation
Oh, Kyliemac is at the end of her rope because of her thesis. Quick! A dose of Philexis for Kyliemac!

k&k learn french 85 - raconter des salades

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 14:19:37 +0100

"Raconter des salades" (to tell tall tales) is a useful expression when dealing with little kids and people who have a tendency to exaggerate (we'd never use this expression to talk about us, oh no!). Hear all about it in show 85.

Literal translation
To recount some salads

English equivalent
To tell tales
To tell tall tales
To spin a yarn
To talk bullshit
To make up stories

French equivalent
Raconter des histoires (to tell some stories)
Raconter des bêtises (to tell some nonsense)
Raconter des balivernes (to tell some twaddle)
Raconter des bobards (to tell some nonsense)
Raconter des craques (to tell some cracks)
En raconter (of to tell)

Frog's phrase
Jean-Pierre raconte vraiment des salades à Pamela depuis des années. Hmm. Il n'a pas tant de réunions qui finissent si tard le soir que ça.
Translation
Jean-Pierre has been telling Pamela tall tales for years. Hmmm. He doesn't have that many meetings that finish so late in the evenings.

k&k learn french 84 - rester bouche-bée

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 14:02:37 +0100

Have you ever been surprised? Of course you have, so the expression we're looking at in show 84 will be very useful to know : "rester bouche-bée" (to gape).

Literal translation
To stay mouth open

English equivalent
To be open-mouthed
To gape
To be stunned
To be speechless
To be lost for words
To be dumbfounded
To be flabbergasted
To be thunderstruck
To be gob-smacked
To be a stunned mullet
To drop one's jaw (eg. "his jaw dropped")

French equivalent
Etre stupefié(e) (to be stupefied)
Rester la bouche ouverte (to stay mouth open)
Etre epoustouflé(é) (to be stunned)
Etre sidérer (to be staggered)

Frog's phrase
Kyliemac est restée bouch-bée quand Mamie lui a dit que elle revenait du Sexodrome.
Translation
Kyliemac was dumbfounded when Mamie told her that she had just come back from the Sexodrome.

k&k learn french 83 - brûler un feu rouge

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 13:41:49 +0100

Got a need for speed? We're taking a look at some French driving lingo with "brûler un feu rouge" (run a red light) in show 83.

Literal translation
To burn a fire red

English equivalent
To run a red light
To run a red
To jump the lights
To go through a red light

French equivalent
Griller un feu rouge (to grill a fire red)
Passer au rouge (to pass at the red)

Frog's phrase
Frog a deux problèmes : le premier, il est Daltonien, et il brûle systématiquement tous les feux rouges ; le deuxième, il n'a pas de permis de conduire.
Translation
Frog has two problems : the first, he is Daltonian, and he systematically runs all red lights ; the second, he doesn't have a driving licence.

k&k learn french 82 - avoir un trou de mémoire

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 13:27:28 +0100

Having trouble remembering things? Perhaps you're having a "trou de mémoire" (to have your mind go blank). Find out everything you need to know about using this idiom in (show 82.

Literal translation
To have a hole of memory

English equivalent
To have one's mind go blank
To have a mind-blank
To forget
To not be able to remember
To draw a blank
To have a memory lapse
To have a senior moment

French equivalent
Ne pas se souvenir (to not remember)
Avoir un trou (to have a hole)
Oublier (to forget)
Zapper (to forget)

Frog's phrase
Bienvenue au 300ème épisode du podcast de K.. de... um... ah... attendez, là j'ai un trou de mémoire là... comment s'appellent les deux meufs qui font un podcast.... quoi? ah, Katia et Kyliemac, ah pardon...
Translation
Welcome to the 300th episode of K... of... um... oh I'm drawing a blank here... what are the names of the two chicks who do the podcast... what? oh, Katia and Kyliemac, oh... sorry...

k&k learn french 81 - myope comme une taupe

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 13:16:12 +0100

"Myope comme une taupe" (blind as a bat) is a great expression if you want to poke fun at your husband for not being able to find something that's right in front of his nose... um... for example... So just listen to show 81.

Literal translation
Near-sighted / Short-sighted as a mole

English equivalent
Blind as a bat
To not be able to see a thing / anything
To be blind

French equivalent
Ne rien voir (to not see)
Voir très mal (to see very badly)
Être aveugle (to be blind)

Frog's phrase
Katia est myope comme une taupe. Mettez-la, sans lunettes, devant un microphone, et elle croit que c'est une glace de chez Berthillon.
Translation
Katia is as blind as a bat. Put her in front of a microphone without her glasses, and she thinks it's a Berthillon ice cream.

k&k learn french 80 - tomber à l'eau

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 12:56:49 +0100

"Tomber à leau", or when something falls through, is the expression of the week in show 80!

Literal translation
To fall at the water

English equivalent
To fall through
To fail
To come to nothing

French equivalent
Abandonner (to abandon)
Êchouer (to fail)
Finir en queue de poisson (to finish in tail of fish)

Frog's phrase
Le projet de spin-off de Frog est tombé à l'eau quand Katia et Kyliemac ont appris qu'il demandait 5,000 euros par episode.
Translation
Frog's spin-off projet fell through when Katia and Kyliemac found out that he was asking 5,000 euros per episode.

k&k learn french 79 - parler français comme une vache espagnole

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 12:30:06 +0100

"Parler français comme une vache espagnole" (to speak French badly) is an expression commonly used by newcomers to the French language. Hear all about it in show 79.

Literal translation
To speak French like a Spanish cow

English equivalent
To speak French badly
To speak very bad French
To murder the (French) language
To butcher the (French) language

French equivalent
Parler très mal le français (to speak very badly the French)

Frog's phrase
Non seulement Pamela parle le français comme une vache espagnole, mais en plus elle a oublié sa langue maternelle. Oh no, mais Pamela, ooooooh.
Translation
Not only does Pamela speak French very badly, but in addition to that, she's forgotten her mother tongue. Oh no, Pamela, ohhhhhh.

k&k learn french 78 - faire un tabac

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 10:03:54 +0100

"Faire un tabac" (to be successful) is a showbiz expression! Hear all about it in show 78.

Literal translation
To do a tobacco

English equivalent
To be successful
To be a great/roaring success
To have/be a (smash) hit

French equivalent
Avoir du succès (to have success)
Faire un carton (to make a cardboard)
Cartonner (to score)

Frog's phrase
Frog et Steve ont fait un véritable tabac l'autre soir au concours de karaoke du club du troisième âge.
Translation
Frog and Steve were a roaring success the other night at the karaoke competition at the seniors club.

k&k learn french 77 - aller au petit coin

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 09:03:58 +0100

"Aller au petit coin" (to go to the toilet) is a highly useful expression referring to a daily necessity, as you'll hear in show 77.

Literal translation
To go to the little corner

English equivalent
To go to the toilet
To go to the bathroom
To go to the loo
To go pee
To go for a slash
To go wee
To go see a man about a dog
To spend a penny
To go see my lawyer
To go powder my nose
To use the facilities
To go to the ladies/mens room

French equivalent
Aller aux toilettes (to go to the toilet)
Faire pipi (to make a pee)
Aller aux wc (correction in pronounciation: "VC") (to go to the WC)
Aller pisser (to go pee)
Aller où la reine va seule (to go where the queen goes alone)
Aller se laver les mains (to go wash ones hands)
Aller faire un tour (to go do a tour)
Aller voir son avocat (to go and see one's lawyer)
Aller parler au pape (to go talk to the pope)

Frog's phrase
Chaque fois que Pamela doit aller au petit coin, elle prie que ça ne soit pas des toilettes turques.
Translation
Each time that Pamela has to go to the ladies room, she prays that it won't be a turkish toilet.

k&k learn french 76 - casser la croûte

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 11:50:16 +0100

"Casser la croûte" (to grab a bite to eat), is a commonly used expression in France (not unusual for a country that so revels in it's love of food!). We talk all about it in show 76!

Literal translation
To break the crust

English equivalent
To break bread
To have/grab a bite (to eat)
To have a snack
To eat

French equivalent
Manger (to eat)
Casser la graine (to break the grain)
Becqueter (to peck)
Croûter (to eat (slang))
Bouffer (to eat (slang))

Frog's phrase
Hier midi, Katia m'a invité à casser la croûte avec elle dans un parc. Elle m'a parlé de son iPhone pendant une heure, et, après, bah, je suis rentré au travail.
Translation
Yesterday lunchtime, Katia invited me to have a bite with her in a park. She talked about her iphone for an hour, and, afterwards, well, I went back to work.

k&k learn french 75 - jeter l'éponge

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 11:21:08 +0100

In show 75 we discuss "jeter l'éponge" (to give up) - yet another useful expression if you're playing endless card games with small peoples!

Literal translation
To throw the sponge

English equivalent
To throw in the towel
To give up
To quit
Admit defeat
To stop trying

French equivalent
Abandonner (to abandon)
Renoncer (to give up)

Frog's phrase
Kyliemac n'est pas contente que Katia ne l'ait pas invitée en australie. Heureusement elle a jeté l'éponge depuis que Katia lui a rapporté tout un stock de Tim Tams.
Translation
Kyliemac is not happy that Katia didn't invite her to Australia. Thankfully, she gave up when Katia brought her an entire stock of Tim Tams.

k&k learn french 74 - il n'y a pas le feu au lac

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 17:53:33 +0100

In show 74 we explain "il n'y a pas le feu au lac" (there's no rush) - a very commonly used expression in the French workplace!

Literal translation
There is not the fire at the lake

English equivalent
There's no rush
There's no hurry
There's no need to panic
We've got time
Where's the fire?

French equivalent
Y a pas le feu (there's no fire)
Il n'y a pas d'urgence (there's no emergency)
On n'est pas pressé (we're not in a hurry)

Frog's phrase
Kylie : Allô? Frog?
Frog Oui allô?
Kylie : Dépêche-toi! T'as deux heures de retard pour enregistrer le podcast!
Frog : Oh la là, c'est bon, y a pas de feu a lac, ohhh.
Translation
Kylie : Hello? Frog?
Frog : Yeah hi?
Kylie : Hurry up! You're running two hours late for the podcast!
Frog : Ohhh, it's fine, there's no need to panic, ohhh.

k&k learn french 73 - se sortir les doigts du cul

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 17:45:25 +0100

The expression "se sortir les doigts du cul" (get a move on) is not the most polite of French expressions (and therefore one should be cautious when using it), but in show 73, we talk about the fact that it's certainly one that you'll hear if you spend any amount of time with the French!

Literal translation
To leave ones fingers of the arse

English equivalent
Pull your finger out (of your arse)
Get a move on
Get a wriggle on
Get your arse / butt into gear
Move your arse / butt
Get the lead out

French equivalent
Faire un effort (to make an effort)
S'activer (to speed oneself up)
Se mettre au travail (put oneself to work)

Frog's phrase
Pamela a enfin décidé de se sortir les doigts du cul et de prendre des cours de français. Ahhh.
Translation
Pamela has finally decided to pull her finger out and take French lessons.

k&k learn french 72 - avoir les chevilles qui enflent

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 15:35:56 +0100

"Avoir les chevilles qui enflent" is not actually a reference to an affliction often suffered by pregnant women, but to the unfortunate tendency of some people to have a big head. You'll hear all about it in show 72.

Literal translation
To have the ankles which swell

English equivalent
To have a big head
To hink one is hot shit
To be full of oneself
To think highly of oneself
To think one is better han everyone else

French equivalent
Prendre la grosse tête
Péter plus haut que son cul (covered in learn french #34)
Se croire sortie de la cuisse de Jupiter (see learn french #54)

Frog's phrase
Chaque fois que vous dites à Katia qu'elle chante bien, elle a les chevilles qui enflent, faites attenion, déjà qu'elle a tendance à avoir les orteils qui enflent... hehehe.
Translation
Every time you tell Katia that she sings well, she gets a big head, so be careful, given that she has the tendency to have toes that swell... hehehe.

k&k learn french 71 - se faire des couilles en or

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 13:51:34 +0100

"Se faire des couilles en or" means to make a fortune, and in show 71 we explain how else you can say this in French and in English.

Literal translation
To make one's balls in gold

English equivalent
To make a mint
To make the jackpot
To make a bundle
To strike it rich

French equivalent
Ramasser le pactole (to collect the bonanza)
Se faire une fortune (to make a fortune)
Gagner une fortune (to win a fortune)

Antonym
Se faire des couilles en plomb (to make one's balls in lead)

Frog's phrase
Frog a mis en vente des poupées à l'effigie de Katia et Kyliemac. Grâce à ça, il s'est fait des couilles en or, et habite, désormais, à Monaco.
Translation
Frog put Katia and Kyliemac dolls up for sale. Because of this endeavour, he struck it rich, and now lives in Monaco.

k&k learn french 70 - crever la dalle

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 17 May 2009 21:55:02 +0100

"Crever a dalle" means to be really really hungry! You'll hear all about it and other alternative ways to say it in French (and in English) in show 70.

Literal translation
To burst the flagstone

English equivalent
To be starving
To be dying of hunger
To be starving to death
To be ravenous
To be fricken' hungry
To be famished

French equivalent
Crever de faim (to burst of hunger)
Avoir la dalle (to have the flagstone)
Avoir les crocs (to have the fangs)
Avoir très faim (to have much hunger)

Frog's phrase
Depuis la crise internationale et la pénurie de m&ms, on crève la dalle dans le Coffee Table Studio.
Translation
Ever since the international crisis and the shortage of m&ms, we're dying of hunger in the Coffee Table Studio.

k&k learn french 69 - être con comme un balai

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 10 May 2009 12:43:00 +0100

Telling your brother that he is "con comme un balai" is equivalent to saying that he's not the sharpest knife in the drawer (and your mum might get cranky at you) - hear all about it show 69!

Literal translation
To be as stupid as a broom

English equivalent
To be as dumb as an ox
He's not the sharpest knife in the drawer
He's a stubby short of a six pack
He's dumb as a box of rocks
The light's are on but nobody's home
He's as dumb as a post
He's depriving a village somewhere of it's idiot

French equivalent
Bête comme ses pieds (stupid as his feet)
Con comme la lune (dumb as a moon)
Con comme une valise (dumb as a suitcase)
être bête à manger du foin (to be stupid to eat hay)

Frog's phrase
Robert est beau, grand et fort... dommage qu'il soit con comme un balai.
Translation
Robert is handsome, tall and strong... pity he's as dumb as an ox.

k&k learn french 68 - faire la sainte-nitouche

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 03 May 2009 16:18:10 +0100

The intriguing french expression "faire la Saint-Nitouche" means to act all innocent and much more, as you'll hear in show 68!

Literal translation
To do the Saint-No-Touch

English equivalent
To act innocent
To play the innocent
To act prudish
To look as if butter wouldn't melt in his/her mouth
To act holier than thou

French equivalent
Jouer la Sainte-Nitouche
Avoir des airs de Saint-Nitouche

Frog's phrase
Kyliemac, arrête de faire ta Sainte-Nitouche chaque fois que Katia jure pendant le podcast! Ohhhh!
Translation
Kyliemac, stop acting all prudish every time Katia swears on the podcast! Ohhhh!

k&k learn french 67 - avoir le cul bordé de nouilles

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 19:37:22 +0100

"Avoir le cul bordé de nouilles" is apparently not as bad as it sounds in French, as you'll find out in show 67, and it actually means to be lucky!

Literal translation
To have the ass lined with noodles

English equivalent
To be extremely lucky
To be a lucky bastard / bugger
To be a lucky git
To be a lucky devil
To be a lucky duck
To be sitting pretty
To strike it lucky
To luck out

French equivalent
Avoir beaucoup de chance
Avoir de la chance
Avoir du cul
Avoir du bol
Avoir du pot
Avoir de la chatte
Avoir de la veine
Avoir de la moule
Être veinard
Avoir la baraka

Frog's phrase
Brigitte m'a annoncé qu'elle avait gagné au loto, et en plus qu'elle avait trouvé un billet de 500 euros par terre! Oh, elle a vraiment le cul bordé de nouilles!
Translation
Brigitte told me that she won the lottery, and what's more that she found a 500 euro note on the ground! She's really darn lucky!

k&k learn french 66 - être une poule de luxe

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 14:20:13 +0100

"Être une poule de luxe" has multiple meanings, as you'll learn in Show 66, and can be used to describe a certain profession or to poke fun at someone.

Literal translation
To be a chicken of luxury

English equivalent
Meaning 1 : to be a high-class hooker
Meaning 1 : to be a trophy wife
Meaning 1 : to be a gold digger
Meaning 2 : to be a fancy pants
Meaning 2 : to have expensive taste
Meaning 2 : to have champagne taste

French equivalent
Avoir des goûts de luxe

Frog's phrase
Kyliemac ne sort jamais du 16ème arrondissement, ne fréquente que des fils d'ambassadeurs, circule en Rolls Royce, porte une Rolex. Une vrai poule de luxe, en somme.
Translation
Kyliemac never leaves the 16th arrondissement, only goes out with Ambassador's sons, drives around in a Rolls Royce, wears a Rolex. She with expensive tastes, that one. (Note: depending on the tone of the speaker, this could also be interpreted as "she's a gold digger, that one..." or "she's a high-class hooker!")

k&k learn french 65 - excité comme une puce

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 16:29:43 +0100

"Excité comme une puce" : the perfect way to say that someone is over-excited! Learn exactly how to say it in show 65!

Literal translation
Excited as a flea

English equivalent
To be jumping for joy
To be hyped up
To be super-excited
To be keyed up

French equivalent
Être agité
Être excité

Frog's phrase
Chaque fois qu'il voit Katia & Kyliemac, Frog rentre en état d'hyperventilation. Il est excité comme un puce.
Translation
Every time he sees Katia & Kyliemac, Frog goes home hyperventilating. He is just super-excited.

k&k learn french 64 - il y a de l'eau dans le gaz

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 16:07:34 +0100

Things are getting a little heated (and not in a good way)? In show 64 we teach you how to say that in French : "il y a de l'eau dans le gaz".

Literal translation
There is water in the gas

English equivalent
There's trouble in paradise
Trouble is brewing
There's trouble in the air
There's tension in the air

French equivalent
Il y a de la dispute dans l'air
Il y a de l'orage dans l'air

Frog's phrase
Depuis que Katia est tombée amoreuse de Sara Ramirez il y a de l'eau dans le gaz dans le Coffee Table Studio.
Translation
Since Katia fell in love with Sara Ramirez there has been tension in the air in the Coffee Table Studio.

k&k learn french 63 - mystère et boule de gomme

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 15:49:22 +0100

We talk about a somewhat confounding yet extremely well-known French phrase in Show 63 (at least to those fans of French in Action) : "mystère et boule de gomme".

Literal translation
Mystery and ball of eraser (or rubber)

English equivalent
That's a mystery
That's a puzzler
The plot thickens (in some contexts)

French equivalent
C'est très mystérieux

Frog's phrase
Mais que c'est il passé pendant cette episode 58 qui est disparu de la liste du Katia et Kyliemac Show? Hmmm. Mystère et boule de gomme.
Translation
But what ever happened to episode 58, which disappeared from the list of the Katia & Kyliemac Show? Hmmm. It's a real puzzler.

k&k learn french 62 - tirer par les cheveux

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 15:21:07 +0100

Someone telling you a story that seems a bit far-fetched? We talk about how to say that in French in show 62 : "tirer par les cheveux".

Literal translation
To pull by the hair

English equivalent
Far-fetched
Hard to swallow

French equivalent
Chercher loin (only in some circumstances)

Frog's phrase
La plupart des exemples donnés par Frog dans ce podcast sont completement tirés par les cheveux.
Translation
The majority of the examples Frog gives in this podcast are totally far-fetched.

k&k learn french 61 - rigoler comme une baleine

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 16:28:10 +0100

Even the French know how to belly-laugh, and in show 61 we teach you how to say that in French : "rigoler comme une baleine".

Literal translation
To laugh like a whale

English equivalent
To laugh out loud
To laugh one's head off

French equivalent
Rire comme une bécasse
Rigoler à gorge deployé
Rire à pleine dent (literary)
Exploser de rire

Frog's phrase
Kylie : Euh, excusez-moi, monsieur, arrêtez de rigoler comme une baleine.
Frog : Mais non, mais j'écoute le podcast de Katia et Kyliemac sur mon ipod. C'est Katia que vous entendez à travers mes écouteurs. C'est pas moi!
Translation
Kylie : Um, excuse me, sir, please stop laughing out loud.
Frog : But no, I'm listening to the Katia and Kyliemac podcast on my ipod. It's Katia you're can hear through my headphones. It's not me!

k&k learn french 60 - avoir le cafard

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 15:06:12 +0100

In show 60 we talk about how to say that someone is feeling a bit down in French : "avoir le cafard".

Literal translation
To have the cockroach

English equivalent
To have the blues
To be depressed
To be down in the dumps
To be feeling down
To be sad
To feel out of the ordinary
To be out of sorts

French equivalent
Avoir le blues
Ne pas avoir le moral
Être déprimé
Avoir des idées noires
Avoir le bourdon

Frog's phrase
Grâce à sa consommation regulière de Philexis, Brigitte n'a plus jamais le cafard!
Translation
Because she takes Philexis regularly, Brigitte never gets down in the dumps anymore!

k&k learn french 59 - donner sa langue au chat

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 18:10:59 +0100

Playing impossible guessing games with a ten year old? Show 59's phrase could come in handy : "donner sa langue au chat".

Literal translation
To give one's tongue to the cat

English equivalent
To give up
To throw in the towel
I don't know

French equivalent
Je ne sais pas
Je n'ai pas la réponse

Frog's phrase
Frog : Attention mesdames et messieurs, voici la dernière question pour cinq mille euros. Attention vous ête prête? Que'est ce que le "Katia et Kyliemac Show"? Réponse A : une marque de vêtements, B : un site pornographique, ou C : le podcast de deux hystériques anglophones?
Kylie : Um, euh, oh, je ne sais pas! Je donne ma langue au chat!
Translation
Frog : Attention please ladies and gentlemen, here is the last question for five thousand euros! Are you ready? What is the "Katia and Kyliemac Show"? A : a clothing brand, B : a pornographic website, or C : the podcast of two hysterical anglophones?
Kylie : Um, uh, oh, I don't know! I give up!

k&k learn french 57 - ça tombe bien

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 17:47:51 +0100

In show 57 we take a look at another of our most oft-used French expressions, which is generally employed when something works out well (ie. the Muffin Man unexpectedly brings us rhum-rhums when we're thirsty) : "ça tombe bien".

Literal translation
That falls well

English equivalent
That's good timing
That's perfect timing
That's works out well
That's convenient

French equivalent
Ça m'arrange
Tomber (arriver) au bon moment

Frog's phrase
Kylie : Oh, J'ai faim!
Frog : Oh, écoute, ça tombe bien parce que je viens de découvrir la cachette sécrete de Tim Tams chez Katia!
Kylie & Frog : Youpi!
Translation
Kylie : Oh, I'm hungry!
Frog : Oh, listen, that's good timing because I just discovered the place where Katia hides her Tim Tams!
Kylie & Frog : Yay!

k&k learn french 56 - Oh là là

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 16:22:03 +0100

It's one of the most well-known French expressions, and in show 56 we talk about the many and varied ways you can employ it : "oh là là".

Literal translation
Oh la la

English equivalent
Oh la la
Wow
Yikes
Oh
Huh
Eek
Ouch
... and so on and so forth - for every emotion, there is an oh là là...

French equivalent
Oh là là

Frog's phrase
Ohhhh là là là là là là là...

k&k learn french 55 - se croire sorti de la cuisse de Jupiter

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 13:58:18 +0100

Does someone you know think a little bit too highly of themselves? In show 55 we teach you how to say that in French : "se croire sorti de la cuisse de Jupiter".

Literal translation
To believe oneself exited from the thigh of Jupiter

English equivalent
He thinks a lot of himself
He thinks highly of himself
He thinks he's Gods gift (to mankind / to women / to men / to humanity / to the universe)
He thinks he's hot shit
He thinks he's top shit
He thinks he's the bees knees
He thinks he's better than everyone else
He has a high opinion of himself

French equivalent
Se croire meilleur que les autres
Peter plus haut que son cul (see k&k learn french #34)

Frog's phrase
Pamela se croit sorti de la cuisse de Jupiter depuis qu'elle sait conjuger le verbe "avoir" en français.
Translation
Pamela thinks she's top shit ever since she learned how to conjugated the verb "avoir" in French.

k&k learn french 54 - connaître quelque chose comme sa poche

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 15:23:40 +0100

Do you know Paris like the back of your hand? We'll help you say that in show 54 : "connaître quelque chose comme sa poche".

Literal translation
To know something like ones' pocket

English equivalent
To know something like the back of your hand
To know something inside-out
To know something perfectly

French equivalent
Connaître quelque chose parfaitement
Très bien connaître

Frog's phrase
Kyliemac connaît Paris come sa poche. Même mieux que sa poche, d'ailleurs.
Translation
Kyliemac knows Paris like the back of her hand. Even better than the back of her hand, actually.

k&k learn french 53 - ça ne mange pas de pain

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 15:17:19 +0100

Is it worth a try? Say it in French with show 53 : "ça ne mange pas de pain".

Literal translation
It doesn't eat bread

English equivalent
It doesn't cost anything to try
It can't hurt
There's no harm in trying
There's nothing to lose
It's no big deal (it's no big, it's no biggie)

French equivalent
Çela ne coûte rien
Ca vaut le coût

Frog's phrase
Chers auditeurs, laissez un voice-mail à Katia et Kyliemac sur Skype, ça ne mange pas de pain, et en plus, ça leur fait plaisir. Alors, vous savez ce qu'il vous reste à faire. À bientôt !
Translation
Dear listeners, leave a voicemail for Katia and Kyliemac on Skype, it doesn't cost anything, and what's more, it makes them happy. So, you know what you have to do. See you soon!

k&k learn french 52 - nom d'un chien

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 14:57:03 +0100

Feel the need to swear, but don't want to actually swear? In show 52, we tell you just how to do that : "nom d'un chien" (WARNING : this episode does contain swearing - for educational purposes, of course).

Literal translation
Name of a dog

English equivalent
Shoot / sugar = shit
Fruit / flip = fuck
Freaking / fricken = fucking
For goodness sake(s) = for God's sake

French equivalent
Nom de Dieu
Dom d'une pipe

Frog's phrase
Pamela. Vous êtes en France depuis la deuxième guerre mondiale. Mais apprenez le français, nom d'un chien.
Translation
Pamela. You've been in France since World War 2. Learn French, for goodness sakes!

k&k learn french 51 - se regarder en chiens de faïence

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 14:29:24 +0100

Is someone having a standoff? Learn how to say that in show 51 : "se regarder en chiens de faïence".

Literal translation
To look at each other as dogs of earthenware

English equivalent
To glare at each other
To look daggers at each other

French equivalent
Se regarder avec hostilité

Frog's phrase
Ce que vous ne voyez pas, chers auditeurs, c'est que Katia et Kyliemac se regardent toujours en chiens de faïence derrière leurs popper-stoppers.
Translation
What you don't see, dear listeners, is that Katia and Kyliemac are always glaring at each other over their popper stoppers.

k&k learn french 50 - envoyer balader quelqu'un

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 15:15:58 +0100

Need to get rid of someone who is annoying the heck out of you? Send them packing! In show 50 we tell you how to say it in French : "envoyer balader quelqu'un".

Literal translation
To send to walk someone

English equivalent
To send someone packing
To give someone their walking papers
To give someone the brush-off
To brush someone off
To give someone their marching orders
To snub someone
To tell someone where to go
To tell someone where to get off
To tell someone to get lost

French equivalent
Envoyer promener quelqu'un
Envoyer paître quelqu'un
Rembarrer quelqu'un

Frog's phrase
Katia m'a envoyé balader l'autre jour parce que je lui avais volé son cocktail. Bah alors.
Translation
Katia sent me packing the other day because I stole her cocktail. Whatever.

k&k learn french 49 - être à l'ouest

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 13:32:33 +0100

Is someone not quite with it? Find out how to say that in French in show 49 : "être à l'ouest".

Literal translation
To be to the west

English equivalent
Out in left field
To be in la la land
To be on another planet
To be out of it
To be not with it
To be away with the faeries/fairies
To not have your head screwed on
To be spaced out
To be out to lunch

French equivalent
Être à côté de ses pompes
Être à côté de la plaque
Être reveur
Avoir la tête ailleurs
Ne plus savoir où on en est

Frog's phrase
Je suis inquiet. Kyliemac est complètement à l'ouest aujourd'hui. Ecoutez! Elle parle même avec un accent australien maintenant. Mais Kyliemac, ça va pas!
Translation
I'm worried. Kyliemac is totally in la la land today! Listen! She is even speaking with an Australian accent now! Kyliemac, this is crazy!

k&k learn french 48 - oh la vache

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 21:08:04 +0100

Knowing how to make exclamations of surprise, admiration or annoyance is pretty important, whatever the language, and in show 48 we look at a very flexible French expression that can be used in all three situations : "oh la vache".

Literal translation
Oh the cow

Meaning
To express surprise, admiration or annoyance

English equivalent
Postive :
Holy cow
Oh my gosh
Holy cats
Crikey
Oh My God
Wow
Awesome
Negative :
Dammit / damn it
Bloody hell
Oh no
Bugger
I'll be damned
Sod it

French equivalent
Positive :
ça alors
Cool
Super
Negative :
Zut
Mon dieu
Mince
Flûte
Bordel
Sacre bleu
Bon sang

Frog's phrase
Oh la vache! Frog a encore pris trois kilos! Oh!
Translation
Oh my gosh! Frog has gained another three kilos! Wow!

k&k learn french 47 - avoir un poil dans la main

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 16:44:19 +0100

Learn how to talk about lazy people in French in show 47 : "avoir un poil dans la main".

Literal translation
To have a hair in the hand

Meaning
To describe someone who doesn't want to work

English equivalent
To be lazy
To be a lazybones
To be bone idle
To be a lazybum
To be a bludger
To be a slacker

French equivalent
Être fainéant
Être paresseux(euse)
Feignasse

Frog's phrase
Ce n'est pas que Frog n'aime pas repondre aux mails, c'est simplement qu'il a un poil dans la main.
Translation
It's not that Frog doesn't like responding to emails, it's just that he's a lazybum.

k&k learn french 46 - avoir les dents longues

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 23:37:54 +0100

Do you want to gossip about a highly ambitious colleague who won't let anything get in the way of their career? Or perhaps you need to talk about a particular politicians ruthless rise to the top! In show 46, we talk about how to say this in French : "avoir les dents longues".

Literal translation
To have the teeth long
(note: this does NOT mean "to be long in the tooth", which means "to be old")

English equivalent
To be very ambitious
To have high ambitions
To want it all
To have one's sights set high
To be a shark
To aim very high
To be ruthless
To reach for the moon

French equivalent
Être très ambitieux (se)
Avoir de l'ambition
Avoir les denrs qui rayent le parquet
Être un requin
Être carièriste

Frog's phrase
Katia et Kyliemac font tout pour être elues les podcasteuses de l'année. Elles ont les dents longues, ces deux là.
Translation
Katia and Kyliemac are doing everything they can to be announced podcasters of the year. They have high ambitions, those two.

k&k learn french 45 - être du mauvais (bon) poil

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 20:54:01 +0100

Someone is in a good or a bad mood? In show 45 we teach you some different ways to say that : "être du mauvais (bon) poil".

Literal translation
To be of bad (good) hair (note : this idiom is not to be confused with the English expression "to have a bad hair day")

English equivalent
To be in a bad/shitty (or good) mood
To be in a temper/snit
To be grumpy/cranky/pissed off/snarky/cantankerous/shitty

French equivalent
Être de mauvaise (bonne) humeur
Faire la tête
Être grincheux(se)
Ne pas être dans son assiette (see learn french #2)

Frog's phrase
Katia est toujours de mauvais poil jusqu'à ce qu'on lui serve un rhum-rhum.
Translation
Katia is always in a bad mood until she gets given a rhum-rhum.

k&k learn french 44 - ne pas être tombé de la dernière pluie

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 13:24:14 +0100

Show people that you're with the progrma in show 44 : "ne pas être tombé de la dernière pluie".

Literal translation
To not fall of the last rain

English equivalent
I wasn't born yesterday
To not be gullible
I'm not going to fall for that
To not be naïve

French equivalent
Ne pas être naïf
Ne pas être né de la dernière pluie
Ne pas être né de la dernière couvée
Il a déjà vu neiger

Frog's phrase
Pamela a compris la blague! Elle n'est quand même pas tombée de la dernière pluie!
Translation
Pamela understood the joke! She apparently wasn't born yesterday!

k&k learn french 43 - gros comme une maison

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 15:07:36 +0100

Like to add a bit of dramatic flair to your declarations of "I told you so"? We'll tell you how to do that in French in show 43 : "gros comme une maison".

Literal translation
Big as a house (note : it's important that you don't confuse this "gros comme une maison" idiom with the English idiom "as big as a house", which means "something very large")

English equivalent
Plain as the nose on your face
You'd have to be blind to miss it
You could see it coming a mile off / from a mile away
You could see it coming
It's as plain as day
It sticks out a mile

French equivalent
Ça se voit comme le nez au milieu de la figure
C'est clair
C'est evident

Frog's phrase
L'autre soir, après notre session de rhum-rhums, quand j'ai vu Kyliemac descendre les escaliers, j'étais sûr qu'elle allait tomber. Ah, mais ça oui, ça, je l'ai vu venir gros comme une maison. Bah, elle est tombée. Sur la voie. Mais, Frog est allé la rechercher, il lui a sauvé la vie. Ah, c'est grâce à moi.
Translation
The other night, after our rhum-rhum session, when I saw Kyliemac come down the stairs, I was sure that she was going to fall. And, well, yes, I saw it coming a mile off. And yes, she fell. On the tracks. But, Frog went and got her and he saved her life. Yes, it's thanks to me.

k&k learn french 42 - tirer les vers du nez (à quelqu'un)

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 14:23:32 +0100

Trying to get some juicy gossip out of someone who is reluctant to spill the beans? Learn how to say that in French in show 42 : "tirer les vers du nez (à quelqu'un)".

Literal translation
To pull the worms of the nose

English equivalent
To worm secrets out of someone
To get something out of someone
To get the truth out of someone

French equivalent
Faire parler à quelqu'un
Extraire des informations de quelqu'un

Frog's phrase
Où est le Muffin Man que je lui tire les vers du nez afin de savoir où sont cachés les Tim Tams!
Translation
Where is the Muffin Man, so I can worm the truth out of him about where the Tim Tams are hidden!

k&k learn french 41 - être une poule mouillée

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 12:52:02 +0100

In show 41 we talk about being cowardly in French : "être une poule mouillée".

Literal translation
To be a chicken wet

English equivalent
To be a chicken
To be a wimp
To be a scaredy cat
To be a wuss
To be a coward

French equivalent
Avoir peur
Ne pas avoir du courage
Être peureux
Être un lâche
Être lâche

Frog's phrase
Jean-Pierre a peur du micro. Ha, mais quelle poule mouillée!
Translation
Jean-Pierre is scared of the microphone. Heh, what a wuss!

k&k learn french 40 - il fait un froid de canard

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 10:12:56 +0100

With winter upon us in the northern hemisphere, in Show 40 we get up to speed with some expressions that explain that it's getting rather chilly outside : "il fait un froid de canard".

Literal translation
It makes a cold of duck

English equivalent
It's freezing cold
It's cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey
It's colder than a witches tit
It's cold as hell
It's biting cold
It's bitter cold
It's as cold as buggary

French equivalent
Il fait très froid
Ça pèle

Frog's phrase
Ugh, il fait un froid de canard dans le Coffee Table Studio depuis que Katia a pété les tuyaux de chauffage en voulant récréer les grands eaux de Versailles dans son appart.
Translation
Argh, it's bloody freezing in the Coffee Table Studio since Katia broke the heating pipes by trying to recreate the fountains of Versailles in her apartment.

k&k learn french 39 - tomber dans les pommes

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 16:59:38 +0100

If you like watching Grey's Anatomy in French (where there are people fainting left, right and centre, whether from heart attacks or because McDreamy looked at them), you'll need to know the expression we cover in show 39 : "tomber dans les pommes".

Literal translation
To fall in the apples

English equivalent
To pass out
To faint
To pass out cold

French equivalent
S'evanouir

Frog's phrase
Jean-Pierre est tombé dans les pommes à cause d'une overdose de m&ms.
Translation
Jean-Pierre fainted after overdosing on m&ms.

k&k learn french 38 - filer à l'anglaise

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 16:39:45 +0100

Has someone snuck off without saying goodbye? Learn how to say that in French with show 38 : "filer à l'anglaise".

Literal translation
To leave to the English

English equivalent
To take French leave
To desert (the army)
To go AWOL
To walk one's chalks
To make off
To sneak off
To leave without saying goodbye
To leave like a thief in the night

French equivalent
Filer en douce
Partir comme un voleur
Partir comme un lâche
Partir comme une traître

Frog's phrase
Quand j'ai vu la vieille mémé tomber dans la rue l'autre jour, j'ai fait comme si rien ne c'était passé et j'ai vraiment filé à l'anglaise. Hahaha.
Translation
When I saw that little old biddy fall over in the street the other day, I pretended nothing happened and I totally snuck off. Hahaha.

k&k learn french 37 - se faire un sang d'encre

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 16:29:41 +0100

One of Katia's superpowers is worrying, and in show 37 we take a look at different ways of talking about that in French : "se faire un sang d'encre".

Literal translation
To make yourself a blood of ink

English equivalent
To worry excessively
To worry to bits
To be worried stiff
To be worried to death
To be beside oneself with worry
To fret
To get in a state
To worry oneself sick

French equivalent
S'inquièter beaucoup
Se ronger les sangs
Se ronger les foies

Frog's phrase
Oh là là là... oh... oh, j'attends les resultats de mon examen. Oh, je ne sais pas si j'ai reussi. Oh, je me fais un sang d'encre. Oh là là...
Translation
Oh gosh... oh... oh, I'm waiting for my exam results. Oh, I don't know if I passed. Oh, I'm worried sick. Ohhhh dear.

k&k learn french 36 - qui part à la chasse perd sa place

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 16:20:46 +0100

We're looking at an old French proverb that is still in common use in show 36, and it's one you might hear one someone gets their spot nicked by someone else : "qui part à la chasse perd sa place" (qui va à la chasse perd sa place).

Literal translation
Who leaves to the hunt loses his place

English equivalent
You snooze, you lose
I don't see your name on it

French equivalent
Being a proverb which speaks for itself, we couldn't come up with a French equivalent

Frog's phrase
Ouais, Katia et Kyliemac, quand elles invitent Frog, c'est bien, mais, euh, très vite il est remplacé par quelqu'un d'autre, euh!? Qui part à la chasse perd sa place.
Translation
Yeah, Katia and Kyliemac, when they invite Frog it's fine, but, well, he's very quickly replaced by someone else, hmm!? You snooze, you lose.

k&k learn french 35 - la barbe

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 13:19:14 +0100

In Show 35, we talk about an exclamation that can be used to describe a bit of an annoying situation : "la barbe".

Literal translation
The beard

English equivalent
What a bore
What a drag
It's a pain in the neck
It's a pain in the arse
It's really annoying

French equivalent
C'est ennuyeux
Ca m'ennerve (a bit stronger)

Frog's phrase
Ooooh, Katia et Kyliemac vont encore parler des magic pens dans leur episode. Oh la barbe!
Translation
Oh, Katia and Kyliemac are going to talk about magic pens again in their episode. What a bore!

k&k learn french 34 - péter plus haut que son cul

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 22:43:16 +0100

Know someone that thinks they're better than everyone else? We'll tell you how to say that in show 34 : "péter plus haut que son cul".

Literal translation
To fart more high than ones arse

Explanation
To be snooty/conceited/snobby

English equivalent
To be pretentious
To think one is hot shit
To have a big head
To think ones shit doesn't stink
To put on airs
To be full of oneself
To be up oneself
To be too big for ones britches
To be too big for ones boots
To be a try-hard

French equivalent
Être trop orgueilleux(se)
Être prétentieux(se)
Être snob
Péter plus haut que le trou
Péter plus haut que le trou du cul
Péter plus haut que son derrière

Frog's phrase
Moi, je vais vous dire, Katia et Kyliemac, pourquoi je n'aime pas la rive gauche. C'est parce que les gens là-bas, pétent plus haut que leurs culs.
Translation
Katia and Kyliemac, I'll tell you why I don't like the left bank. It's because the people there, they think their shit doesn't stink!

k&k learn french 33 - boire comme un trou

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 22:38:28 +0100

We're back on the drinking-related expressions, with show 33 : "boire comme un trou".

Literal translation
To drink like a hole

English equivalent
To drink like a fish
To drink a lot
To drink excessively

French equivalent
Boire comme un éponge
Boire beaucoup
Boire avec excès

Frog's phrase
Le problème avec Frog, c'est qu'on ne sait jamais si il est sobre ou si il a bu comme un trou avant de venir enregistrer un episode.
Translation
The problem with Frog is that we never know if he's sober or if he's been drinking like a fish before coming to record an episode.

k&k learn french 32 - comme un cheveu sur la soupe

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 22:24:46 +0100

How do you say that someone has shown up at the worst possible moment or said something socially awkward? Find out in show 32 : "(arriver/tomber) comme un cheveu sur la soupe".

Literal translation
To fall like a hair on the soup

English equivalent
To show up at the worst possible moment
To turn up at an awkward moment
To cause an awkward moment
To fall like a lead balloon
That was a downer

French equivalent
Arrivé au mauvais moment

Frog's phrase
Kyliemac est arrivée l'autre soir à la soirée, et est intervenue soudainement. Malheureusement son intervention est tombée comme un cheveu sur la soupe. Et oui, c'est comme ça avec Kyliemac.
Translation
Kyliemac arrived at the party the other night and suddenly launched into a spiel. Unfortunately her little speech caused a really awkward silence. Ah yes, it's always the way with Kyliemac.

k&k learn french 31 - avoir un verre dans le nez

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 22:14:34 +0100

One of your friends has had one too many drinks? We'll show you how you say that in French show 31 : "avoir un verre dans le nez".

Literal translation
To have a glass in the nose

English equivalent
To be a bit drunk
To be tipsy
To have had one too many
To have had a little too much
To be rhum-rhumed

French equivalent
Être ivre
Être soûle
Avoir trop bu

Frog's phrase
Je ne sais pas ce que vous en pensez, mais vue la qualité de l'emission, je pense que Katia et Kyliemac ont enregistré avec un verre dans le nez.
Translation
I don't know what you think, but given the quality of the show, I think that Katia and Kyliemac recorded after having a little too much to drink.

k&k learn french 30 - poser un lapin

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 21:12:56 +0100

If you're unlucky enough to be stood up (or if you stand someone else up!), learn how to say that in French with show 30 : "poser un lapin".

Literal translation
To put down a rabbit

Explanation
To miss an appointment on purpose

English equivalent
To stand someone up
To not show
To not show up

French equivalent
Rater un rendez-vous
Manquer un rendez-vous
Louper un rendez-vous
Faire faux bond

Frog's phrase
L'autre jour, j'avais rendez-vous avec Katia au restaurant. Et comme d'habitude, vous savez ce qu'elle a fait? Elle m'a posé un lapin!
Translation
The other day I had a lunch date with Katia at a restaurant. And as usual, do you know what she did? She stood me up!

For your viewing pleasure, check out this youtube video which succinctly demonstrates what it means to poser un lapin!

NOTE : we're having problems with publishing learn french #29. It should be working in the next 48 hours!

k&k learn french 29 - casser les pieds (à quelqu'un)

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 20:47:50 +0100

Someone boring you to tears? Learn how to talk about it in French on show 29 : "casser les pieds (à quelqu'un)".

Literal translation
To break the feet

English equivalent
To annoy/bother/aggravate someone
To bore someone stiff
To bore someone silly
To get on someone's nerves

French equivalent
Ennuyer quelqu'un
Embêter quelqu'un
Ennerver quelqu'un
Casser les couilles
Se casser le cul

Frog's phrase
Eh, Katia et Kyliemac, vous me cassez les pieds avec vos histoires de m&ms toute la journée.
Translation
Hey, Katia and Kyliemac, you bore me silly with your stories of m&ms all day!

k&k learn french 28 - prendre la mouche

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 20:24:02 +0100

We're revisiting the animal kingdom in show 28, where we discover yet another expression all about getting annoyed : "prendre la mouche".

Literal translation
To take the fly

Explanation
To get pissed off for something small or nothing at all

English equivalent
To fly off the handle
To take offense
To get into a huff

French equivalent
Se vexer
Se fâcher
Se mettre en colère

Frog's phrase
L'autre jour, quand j'ai dit à Katia qu'elle ressemblait à Dolly Parton, elle a vraiment pris la mouche!
Translation
The other day, when I told Katia that she looked like Dolly Parton, she really flew off the handle!

k&k learn french 27 - en avoir ras-le-bol

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 18:30:05 +0100

In show 27, we honour a listener request for a commonly heard expression of frustration : "en avoir ras-le-bol".

Literal translation
Of it to have the level of the head

English equivalent
To have it up to here
To have enough
To be fed up
To be pissed off

French equivalent
En avoir marre (j'en ai marre)
En avoir assez (j'en ai assez)

Frog's phrase
Oh, Samantha, arrêtez de parler toute la journée. Vous entendre, non, non, non, j'en ai ras-le-bol, ça suffit. Stop!
Translation
Oh, Samantha, stop talking all day long. I've had enough of listening to you, that's it! Stop!

k&k learn french 26 - bête comme chou

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 21:37:44 +0100

We've got veggies on the brain in show 26, and this time we chat about the role cabbage in a certain French expression : "bête comme chou".

Literal translation
Dumb like cabbage

English equivalent
It's as easy as pie
It's really easy
It's a cinch
It's easy peasy lemon squeezy
It's like taking candy from a baby

French equivalent
C'est facile

Frog's phrase
Kyliemac, sortir du territoire sans son titre de séjour... C'est pourtant pas compliqu é! Rajouter une carte dans ses papiers, pourtant c'est bête comme chou!
Translation
Kyliemac, leaving the country without your residency card... Seriously, it's not hard! Simply adding a card to your papers, it's as easy as pie!

k&k learn french 25 - les carottes sont cuites

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 20:58:03 +0100

We're in the kitchen in show 25, or are we? Vegetables make appearances in many french idioms, and in this weeks show we look at what it means when someone says that the carrots are cooked : "les carottes sont cuites".

Literal translation
The carrots are cooked

English equivalent
It's all over for him (you, me, them, etc.)
Your goose is cooked (his, their, etc.)
You're done for (we're/he's, etc.)
The game is up
We're done and dusted
It's curtains
It's the end of the line
It's all over, red rover

French equivalent
C'est la fin des haricots (it's the end of the beans)
C'est fini
C'est mort
C'est terminé

Frog's phrase
Katia... je sais que c'est toi qui a volé tout les m&ms. Les carrots sont cuites. On t'a reconnu.
Translation
Katia... I know it was you who stole all the m&ms. The game is up. You've been busted.

k&k learn french 24 - c'est un truc de ouf

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 13:14:39 +0100

In show 24 we talk about our first "verlan" (backslang) phrase : "c'est un truc de ouf".

Translation into real French
C'est un truc de fou ("ouf" is the letters of "fou" all mixed up)

Literal translation
It's a thing of yzarc

English equivalent
It's crazy / That's crazy
That's whack
That's nuts
That's some crazy shit

French equivalent
C'est dingue
C'est fou

Frog's phrase
Kyliemac! Mais, c'est trop fort, ce que tu me fais! C'est trop fort! C'est vraiment un truc de ouf!
Translation
Kyliemac! Wow, it's too cool what you're doing! It's too cool! It's really some crazy shit!

ps. this episode is incorrectly referred to as number 23 in the recorded episode. It is actually number 24. the management sincerely apologises for the confusion!

k&k learn french 23 - péter la forme

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 14:08:49 +0100

In show 23 we look at an extremely common expression that never fails to leave the anglophone a little surprised when they first hear it : "péter la forme".

Literal translation
To fart the form

English equivalent
To feel good
To be at the top of your game
To be full of life
To be in the pink
To be in fine form

French equivalent
Être en forme / Être en pleine forme
Se porter bien
Avoir la pêche (to have the peach)
Avoir la patate (to have the spud/potato)

Frog's phrase
Jean-Claude, oooooh, tu as bonne mine. Tu as l'air de péter la forme!
Translation
Jean-Claude, oooooh, you're looking great. You seem to be in fine form!

k&k learn french 22 - on n'a pas élevé les cochons ensemble

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 18:12:19 +0100

Is someone being a little too familiar for your liking? We'll tell you how to say it in show 22 : "on n'a pas élevé les cochons ensemble" (or "on n'a pas gardé les cochons ensemble").

Literal translation
We have not raised pigs together

English equivalent
Just who do you think you are?
Since when are we so buddy-buddy?
What gives you the right to be so buddy-buddy?
Do I know you?
I don't know you from Adam (added later)

French equivalent
On ne se connait ni d'Adam ni d'Eve
On se connait?
On n'a pas élevé les oies / vaches / dindes ensemble (but not moutons ou chèvres)

Frog's phrase
Eh, Jean-Claude, ça suffit, arrête de me parler comme ça! On n'a pas élevé les cohcons ensemble!
Translation
Oh, Jean-Claude, that's enough, stop talking like that! Just who do you think you are?

k&k learn french 21 - faire un caca nerveux

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 17:58:20 +0100

We're navigating uncharted territories in show 21, and advise you to use this expression wisely : "faire un caca nerveux".

Literal translation
To make a nervous poop

English equivalent
To throw a hissy fit
To go ape-shit
To throw/chuck a wobby
To go off the deep end
To get your knickers in a knot
To get your panties in a bunch

French equivalent
Péter un plomb / péter un cable (see show 7)
S'énerver
En faire (tout) un pataquès
Faire toute une histoire

Frog's phrase
Oh tout à l'heure, elle était vraiment énervée, elle a fait un vrai caca nerveux.
Translation
Oh earlier she was really pissed off, she threw a total hissy fit.

k&k learn french 20 - quand les poules auront des dents

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 25 May 2008 17:47:40 +0100

We go back down on the farm in show 20, when we talk about things that will never happen : "quand les poules auront des dents".

Literal translation
When the chickens will have some teeth

English equivalent
When pigs fly / When pigs have wings
When monkeys fly out of my butt
When hell freezes over
In a month of Sundays

French equivalent
Jamais
Quand les poules pisseront
Une semaine de quatre jeudis

Frog's phrase
Ouais, le jour où Katia et Kyliemac arrêteront de parler des stylos magiques, euh, les poules auront des dents, hein?
Translation
Yeah, the day that Katia and Kyliemac stop talking about magic pens, oh, pigs will fly, eh!

k&k learn french 19 - avoir un chat dans la gorge

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 18 May 2008 17:36:33 +0100

What do cats and frogs have in common? It's time to find out in show 19 : "avoir un chat dans la gorge".

Literal translation
To have a cat in ones throat

English equivalent
To have a frog in ones throat
To have a tickle in ones throat
To be hoarse

French equivalent
Être enroué
Avoir mal à la gorge (to have a sore throat)

Frog's phrase
Euh, excusez-moi, hmmm, mmmm. Ah, aujourd'hui je n'arrive pas à parler dans le micro. Hmm, mmm. Ah, j'ai un chat dans la gorge. MMM. Vite, un m&ms!
Translation
Ah, excuse me, hmmm, mmmm. Oh, today I just can't talk into the mike. Hmm, mmm. Oh, I have a frog in my throat. MMM. Hurry, an m&m!

k&k learn french 18 -mon œil

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 11 May 2008 14:44:12 +0100

We revisit the body parts yet again in show 18, with the ever-flexible : "mon œil".

Literal translation
My eye

English equivalent
My foot!
No way!
Yeah, right!
My arse!
Like hell!
As if!

French equivalent
C'est pas vrai ! / Même pas vrai !
Tu parles !

Frog's phrase
Eh! Kyliemac! Mon œil que tu n'as pas vu qu'il t'avait dragué toute la soirée! Hein?! Mon œil, ouais.
Translation
Oh! Kyliemac! My arse you didn't see that he was trying to chat you up all night! Hmph! My arse!

k&k learn french 17 - passer du coq à l'âne

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 04 May 2008 08:04:51 +0100

Show 17's expression is particularly pertinent in the world of Katia and Kyliemac : "passer du coq à l'âne" (or "sauter du coq à l'âne").

Literal translation
To pass from the rooster to the donkey

English equivalent
To jump from one subject to another
To change the subject abruptly
To have a butterfly mind

French equivalent
Sauter d'un sujet à l'autre
Changer de sujet sans transition

Frog's phrase
Chaque fois que je vais au Katia et Kyliemac Show, impossible de savoir de quoi on parle. On passe sans arrêt du coq à l'âne ! Oh la la !
Translation
Every time I'm on the Katia and Kyliemac Show, it's impossible to know what we're talking about. We jump incessantly from one subject to another!

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k&k learn french 16 - avoir la gueule de bois

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 21:47:53 +0100

Feeling seedy after a night out on the town? We have a look at how to say it in show 16 : "avoir la gueule de bois".

Literal translation
To have the muzzle of wood

English equivalent
To be hung over
To have a hangover

French equivalent
Avoir la tête dans le cul
Ne pas se sentir bien
Avoir mal aux cheveux
Prendre une grosse cuite (please note, thanks to the Muffin Man, we have to say that this is not really a description of the consequence, but more a description of how much was drunk, as in, "to get totally smashed")

Frog's phrase
OOooooh, ohh, ça va pas! Ooooooooh, j'ai mal à la tête! Oh, j'ai trop bû hier - c'est la faute de Katia et Kyliemac. Oh, j'ai vraiment la gueule de bois! Ooooooh la la..
Translation
OOooooh, ohh, it's not good! Oooooooooh, my head hurts! Oh, I drank too much yesterday - it's Katia and Kyliemac's fault. Oh, I really have a hangover. Ooooooh la la.

k&k learn french 15 - les oreilles qui traînent

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 20:29:35 +0100

We're back to expressions to do with body parts in show 15: "les oreilles qui traînent".

Literal translation
The ears which drag

English equivalent
Eavesdropping
LIsten in on...
Little pitchers have big ears

French equivalent
Ecouter de façon indiscrète
Ecouter aux portes

Frog's phrase
Katia, regarde Kyliemac, qui écoute notre conversation. Elle a les oreilles qui traînent, celle-là.
Translation
Katia, look at Kyliemac, who is listening to our conversation. She's a real eavesdropper, that one.

k&k learn french 14 - j'ai d'autres chats à fouetter

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 14:02:49 +0100

Places to go? People to see? Things to do? We learn how to say it in French in show 14 : "j'ai d'autre chats à fouetter" (avoir d'autres chats à fouetter).

Literal translation
I have other cats to whip

English equivalent
I've got other fish to fry
I've got other things to do
I've got other things on my plate
Things to do, places to go, people to see...

French equivalent
J'ai d'autres choses à faire
Je n'ai pas que ça à faire

Frog's phrase
Non, non, les filles, je n'ai vraiment pas le temps de venir enregistrer un podcast avec vous - écouter, j'ai d'autres chats à fouetter, moi, oh...
Translation
No, no, girls, I really don't have the time to come and record a podcast with you - listen, I have other things to do...

k&k learn french 13 - c'est la goutte d'eau qui fait déborder le vase

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 13:34:24 +0100

How to say you've had enough in French? In show 13 we look at the very useful expression : "c'est la goutte d'eau qui fait déborder le vase".

Literal translation
It's the drop of water which makes overflow the vase

English equivalent
It's the straw that broke the camel's back
It's the last straw / it's the final straw
To have enough (of putting up with something)

French equivalent
J'en ai eu assez

Frog's phrase
Le mariage de Sarkozy... et le mariage de Cecilia - c'est vraiment la goutte d'eau qui fait déborder le vase!
Translation
Sarkozy's wedding... and Cecilia's wedding - it's really the final straw!

k&k learn french 12 - chanter comme une casserole

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 18:16:15 +0100

The expression covered in Show 12 is one oft employed by the judges in Nouvelle Star (the French version of American Idol / Pop Idol / Australian Idol, etc.) : "chanter comme une casserole" (elle chante comme une casserole).

Literal translation
Sing like a casserole / saucepan

English equivalent
To sing very badly
To sing out of tune
Can't carry a tune in a bucket

French equivalent
Il chante faux (chanter faux)
Il chante très mal

Frog's phrase
Euh, euh, Katia, s'il te plait, euh, stop! Stop la chanson là, c'est bon. Tu chantes comme une casserole. Euh? Stop.
Translation
Ah, um, Katia, please, um, stop! Stop singing, that's fine. You can't carry a tune in a bucket. Ok? Stop.

k&k learn french 11 - il pleut comme vache qui pisse

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 18:10:21 +0100

Show 11 showcases one of our most favourite of French expressions : "il pleut comme vache qui pisse".

Literal translation
It rains like cow who pees

English equivalent
It's raining cats and dogs
It's raining really hard
It's raining buckets
It's bucketing down
It's pouring

French equivalent
Il pleut beaucoup
Il pleut très fort
Il pleut à verse
Il tombe des cordes
Il tombe des hallebardes

Frog's phrase
Jean-Claude, tu ne vas pas sortir dans cette tenue! Il pleut comme vache qui pisse!
Translation
Jean-Claude, you're not going to go out in that outfit! It's raining cats and dogs!

k&k learn french 10 - avoir quelqu'un dans le nez

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 16:33:49 +0100

Really annoyed at someone? In show 10, we talk about a way you can say that in French : "avoir quelqu'un dans le nez".

Literal translation
To have someone in the nose

English meaning
To be really annoyed at/with someone

English equivalent
To have it in for someone
To have someone on your nerves
To not stand someone / To not be able to stand somone

French equivalent
Détester quelqu'un
Ne pas aimer quelqu'un
Ne pas supporter quelqu'un (je ne le supporte pas)
Ne pas sentir quelqu'un (je ne peux pas le sentir)

Frog's phrase
Katia déteste vraiment Jean-Claude. Elle ne peut pas le supporter. Elle l'a vraiment dans le nez!
Translation
Katia really hates Jean-Claude. She really cannot stand him! She's really got it in for him!

k&k learn french 9 - on n'est pas sorti de l'auberge

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 16:35:31 +0100

Show 9 cover the perfect phrase for everyone who likes to be a little dramatic about how much work they have to do (especially with their boss) : "on n'est pas sorti de l'auberge".

Literal translation
We have not left the inn

English meaning
There is still more work to do

English equivalent
We're not out of the woods yet
We've still got a long way to go
We've still got some hurdles to jump

French equivalent
On n'est pas couché
On n'a pas terminé
On n'a pas fini

Frog's phrase
Oh la la, ce podcast, n'en finit jamais... On n'est vraiment pas sorti de l'auberge, euh!
Translation
OOoh, this podcast, it never ends... We've still got a long way to go, eh!

k&k learn french 8 - coûter la peau des fesses

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 14:39:14 +0100

Ever wondered what to exclaim when staring at stuff that costs more than a months wages in the windows of the Louis Vuitton store on the Champs Elysées? Well, in show 8, we give you something to say : "ça coûte la peau des fesses!" (coûter la peau des fesses)

Literal translation
It costs the skin off your bottom/butt

English meaning
It's very expensive / it costs a lot

English equivalent
It costs an arm and a leg
It costs the earth

French equivalent
Coûter la peau du dos (of the back) / des couilles (of the balls)
Coûter les yeux de la tête (the eyes of the head)

Frog's phrase
Un appartement à Paris, c'est vraiment trop trop cher. Ca coûte la peau des fesses!
Translation
An apartment in Paris is really just so expensive. It costs an arm and a leg!

k&k learn french 7 - péter un plomb

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 19:50:39 +0100

We take a look at a fascinating (and apparently often employed by little people) idiom in show 7: "péter un plomb".

Literal translation
Fart a fuse / break a fuse

English equivalent
Blow a gasket
Blow a fuse
Hit the roof
To freak out
To throw a hissy fit (chuck a hissy fit)
To snap

French equivalent
Péter les plombs
Péter un cable
Se mettre en colère
Piquer une crise

French equivalent of the literal meaning
Sauter un fusible

Frog's phrase
Oh la la, l'autre jour elle est devenu complètement folle! Elle a vraiment pété un plomb!
Translation
Oooooh, the other day she went completey crazy! She threw a total hissy fit!

k&k learn french 6 - les doigts dans le nez

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 11:12:28 +0100

We're still with the body parts in show 6, and tackle the fabulous expression "les doigts dans le nez".

Literal translation
The fingers in the nose

Meaning
Easily

English equivalent
With one hand tied behind my back
As easy as pie / As easy as falling off a log
It's a piece of cake
Without breaking a sweat
Can be done blindfolded

French equivalent
Sans difficulté
Facilement
Les yeux fermés

Frog's phrase
Ouais! J'ai reussi mes examens les doigts dans le nez!
Translation
Yay! I passed my exams with one hand tied behind my back!

k&k learn french 5 - tenir la jambe

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 14:19:15 +0100

We start examining body parts in show 5, and talk about the idiom "tenir la jambe".

Literal translation
To hold the leg

English equivalent
Talk someone's ear(s) off
Bore someone to death
Bore someone to tears

French equivalent
Ennuyer quelqu'un
Faire perdre du temps

Frog's phrase
Pamela m'a parlé pendant trois heures au téléphone! Elle m'a tenu la jambe pendant une éternité
Translation
Pamela spoke to me on the phone for three hours! She talked my ear off for an eternity

k&k learn french 4 - il y a quelque chose qui cloche

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 23:02:29 +0100

In show 4 we look at yet another extremely versatile French idiom, "il y a quelque chose qui cloche".

Literal translation
There is something that/which rings

English equivalent
Something is not quite right
Something is a little bit off
Something is amiss
Something is hitting a false note

French equivalent
Il y a quelque chose qui va pas

Frog's phrase
Mmm, Il y a quelque chose qui cloche
Translation
Hmm, something's a little bit off

k&k learn french 3 - ce n'est pas la mer à boire

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 22:55:24 +0100

Show 3 is a great phrase that makes the mind boggle, "ce n'est pas la mer à boire".

Literal translation
It's not the sea to drink/It's not drinking the sea

English equivalent
It's not an impossible task
It's not rocket science
It's not a big deal
It's not that hard
It's not asking that much
It's not asking the impossible

French equivalent
Ce n'est pas trop difficile
Ce n'est pas impossible
Ce n'est pas très compliqué

Frog's phrase
Mais enfin, Pamela, ça fait quinze ans que vous êtes en France, et vous ne parlez toujours pas Français. Apprendre le Français, ce n'est, quand meme, pas la mer à boire!
Translation
But Pamela! You've been in France for 15 years, and you still don't speak French. Seriously, learning French is not that hard!

k&k learn french 2 - il n'est pas dans son assiette

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 22:45:28 +0100

Show 2 covers a much-loved expression, "il n'est pas dans son assiette" (ne pas être dans son assiette).

Literal translation
He's not in his plate

English Equivalent
He's under the weather
He's out of sorts
Not in a good physical and/or mental state

French Equivalent
Il ne va pas bien (ne pas aller bien)
Il n'est pas en forme (ne pas être en forme)

Frog's phrase
Jean-Claude est très pale aujourd'hui. C'est bizarre, je pense qu'il n'est pas dans son assiette.
Translation
Jean-Claude is very pale today. It's strange, I think he's not well today.

k&k learn french 1 - ce ne sont pas tes oignons

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 22:33:12 +0100

Show 1 covers an expression of the vegetable variety, with the phrase "ce ne sont pas tes oignons".

Literal translation
These are not your onions

English equivalents
It's none of your business
It ain't none of your beeswax
Don't be a sticky-beak

French equivalents
Ça ne te regarde pas
Occupe-toi de tes onions

Frog's context phrase
Mais voyons, Jean-Claude, l'age que j'ai, mais ce ne sont pas tes oignons!
Translation
Now see here, Jean-Claude, my age is none of your business!

k&k learn french 0 - about the podcast

katiaandkyliemac@gmail.com (Katia and Kyliemac) — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 22:26:04 +0100

In this introductory episode, we outline what the k&k learn french podcast is and what we're planning on doing in each show.