Why do I need to know tu as mangé un clown?

Because this is a great comeback, especially if you’re spending time with French children.

What does it mean?

Tu as mangé un clown – roughly pronounced to ah man-jay uhn cloon – literally translates as ‘you ate a clown?’

The expression does not have to do with cannibalism, thankfully. Instead, it is a light-hearted way to poke fun at someone for making a silly or bad joke. 

It is similar to how an English speaker might sarcastically say ‘Oh funny guy!’ or ‘you’re quite the comedian’ after their friend makes a joke that did not land.

Tu as mangé un clown, or tu as mangé un clown à midi (at lunchtime) is the type of expression children would say to one another, or that an adult might say to a child trying to be humorous. 

You probably would not use this expression with a fellow adult, as it is a bit infantile – unless that is the sense that you want to convey, of course.

A similar expression would be tu as fait l’école du rire? (you went to comedy school?)

Use it like this

Regarde-le ! Il a dû manger un clown à midi avec toutes ces blagues. – Well, look at him! He’s quite the comedian with all those jokes.

Ah tu te crois drôle ? Tu as mangé un clown au déjeuner ? – Ah you think you’re funny? You think you’re a comedian?