French Expression of the Day: Pète-sec
This French expression has nothing to do with farting...
A good expression to know if you find someone to be a little rude...
The French expression pète-sec , roughly pronounced pet sek (listen here ) literally translates as "dry fart". In reality, it is an informal adjective to describe someone who is "abrupt", "blunt" or "short-tempered". A pète-sec is someone who often comes across as lacking tact or warmth.
The expression appeared in the 19th century. The term is made up of the verb péter , used here in the sense of making a sudden, sharp noise or expressing something abruptly, and the adjective sec (dry).
In French, sec has long been used figuratively to describe someone who is curt, harsh or lacking warmth, as in une réponse sèche (a curt reply).
Le nouveau patron est un vrai pète-sec. - The new boss is really blunt.
La secrétaire était un peu pète-sec au téléphone. - The receptionist was a bit abrupt on the phone.
Ne fais pas ton pète-sec ! Les gens vont penser que tu es désagréable. - Don't be so curt! People will think you are rude.
