Why do I need to know beauf?<\/p>\n
It's a common expression, filled with French stereotypes.<\/p>\n
What does it mean?<\/p>\n
Beauf, not to be confused with boeuf (beef)or bof, has two meanings.<\/p>\n
The simplest one is when used as a diminutive of beau-frre, brother in law. The other, more complex one, is the French colloquial term used to describe an unsophisticated or vulgar person.<\/p>\n
Born at the hands of the famous French cartoonist Jean Cabut (known as Cabu) in the magazine Charlie Hebdo in the 1970s, the originalBeauf wasa typical francais moyen, narrow-minded, conservative, rude and chauvinist.<\/p>\n
Cabu's original drawing was the mustachioed owner of a bistro, whoCabu described as someone who doesnt think, yet is convinced of his own truths.<\/p>\n
The archetype of todays beauf, le nouveau beauf, is male, provincial, slightly racist and sexist, with poor taste. The English version could be \"redneck or chav.<\/p>\n
It is, of course, a stereotype, sometimes used to make sweeping generalisations that arent necessarily true. A Parisian might say that:<\/p>\n
Les gens du nord, ce sont tous des gros beaufs. - People from the north are all chavs.<\/p>\n
READ ALSO:French regional stereotypes: Is half the country really always drunk?<\/p>\n
Any other options?<\/p>\n
Beauf can also describe someone's behaviour. For example, if you are a bit of a snobbish bourgouise lady, you might say:<\/p>\n
Manger avec les mains, mais c'est un comportement de beaufs, ca - Eating with your hands, that's just chavvy behaviour.<\/p>\n
Or if you're sick of your uncle's sexist jokes, you might say:<\/p>\n
Mon oncle a sorti une blague des beaufs ce week-end encore,trop sexiste!- My uncle told yet another really redneck joke this weekend, really sexist!<\/p>\n
Although calling someone abeauf is not a compliment, there is also a form a pride tied to the label. Linguist Alain Rey told the Express that thelangage beauf (provincial language)as \"a reaction to political correctness.\"<\/p>\n
Speaking beauf could be a way of countering the \"increasing policing of political speech and use of euphemisms,\" according to Rey.<\/p>\n
For more French words and expressions, head to our French word of the Day section.<\/p>\n
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View post:<\/p>\n
French word of the day: Beauf - The Local France<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Why do I need to know beauf? It's a common expression, filled with French stereotypes. Continue reading