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FRENCH WORD OF THE DAY

French Expression of the Day: C’est énorme

This French expression literally means 'it's enormous' - but it's used in many situations in France.

French Expression of the Day: C'est énorme
Photo: Annie Spratt/Unsplash/Nicolas Raymond

Why do I need to know c’est énorme?

It’s a simple enough phrase but c’est énorme can be used in lots of ways and the French use it all the time.

If you listen carefully, you’ll hear loads of things described as énorme, even if they are tiny or not even things. Confused? Here’s how to use this useful little expression.

What does it mean?

C’est énorme – roughly pronounced say ay-norm – literally means it’s enormous, but when it is used as an expression (and it often is as an exclamation) it means that something is great, or amazing or incredible.

It can also convey surprise – as in something that’s unbelievable. 

With only two words, c’est énorme conveys a whole range of emotions – from shock and excitement to frustration. 

The origins of c’est énorme seem pretty straightforward and the expression is similar in many ways to the English ‘it’s huge or ‘it’s big’ as in something that’s unbelievable or awesome, or a big deal or big news. 

Enorme is also used in a few other French expressions such as c’est pas énorme meaning ‘that’s not much’ or c’est déjà énorme which means ‘that’s already a lot’. 

Use it like this

Ils lui ont proposé le boulot, c’est énorme! – They offered her the job, it’s great!

Ta tarte aux pommes est énorme! — Your apple tart is amazing!

Tout le gouvernmemt a démissioné, c’est énorme. – The entire government has resigned, it’s unbelievable. 

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FRENCH WORD OF THE DAY

French Word of the Day: Flipper

This French word does not have anything to do with marine mammals.

French Word of the Day: Flipper

Why do I need to know flipper?

Because this anglicism is used a bit differently in French than it would be in English.

What does it mean?

Flipper – roughly pronounced flea-pay – is a colloquial French term and these days it means to be upset or overly anxious. People often use it similarly to the English expression ‘to freak out’.

As you may have expected, the term is an anglicism, and it comes from the English word ‘to flip’. 

However, in French it does not mean to literally flip something over – you would use renverser for that. It comes from a different usage of the word ‘flip’, more in line with ‘losing one’s head’.

The word started being popular in France in the 1970s, and at that time it was almost exclusively used to describe the experience of ‘freaking out’ or having a bad trip after taking LSD or other hallucinogenic drugs, according to Le Figaro.

Over time, it started to refer to the period of depression many people experience after feelings of euphoria when high, as well as the anxiety that one might feel due to withdrawal. 

Nowadays, people mainly use it to refer to any irrational response. You can also call something flippant (shocking).

A more formal synonym for flipper might be paniquer.

And if you find yourself in an arcade, you may hear the word a few times, as flipper is also the French term for a pinball machine.

Use it like this

Arrête de flipper, on va être à l’heure.  – Stop freaking out, we’re going to be on time.

Les résultats des élections m’ont vraiment fait flipper. Mes amis n’ont pas été surpris pour autant. – The results of the election really freaked me out. My friends weren’t surprised though.

J’ai flippé en regardant le film d’horreur. – I freaked out when I was watching the horror movie.

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