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Sir
Feb 18, 2009 19:32:42 GMT
Post by bazfaz on Feb 18, 2009 19:32:42 GMT
In Egypt I picked up a book by Rene Hardy (who he?) translated into French. The title was Amere Victoire and it is a novel set in the north African desert during WW2. What struck me was that the translator had the soldiers calling their officers "Sir". What do they do in the French army?
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Sir
Feb 18, 2009 19:41:37 GMT
Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2009 19:41:37 GMT
I think in France it is always "mon lieutenant" "mon capitaine" "mon général" etc.
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Sir
Feb 18, 2009 20:10:37 GMT
Post by bazfaz on Feb 18, 2009 20:10:37 GMT
Thyat figures. The French like to us 2 words where one would do.
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Sir
Feb 22, 2009 21:48:50 GMT
Post by spindrift on Feb 22, 2009 21:48:50 GMT
The French sounds more respectful, n'est ce pas?
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Sir
Feb 22, 2009 23:05:02 GMT
Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2009 23:05:02 GMT
Although most (French) people think that "mon" in mon général, mon lieutenant, is a possessive, it's actually an abbreviation of "Monsieur".
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Sir
Feb 23, 2009 9:44:23 GMT
Post by bazfaz on Feb 23, 2009 9:44:23 GMT
Well, I never knew that.
I think it is time for mon cafe now.
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Sir
Feb 23, 2009 18:02:53 GMT
Post by Deleted on Feb 23, 2009 18:02:53 GMT
Isn't the name of one of the best selling brands of coffeemakers in the U.S. "Mister Coffee"?
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Sir
Feb 23, 2009 18:10:34 GMT
Post by spindrift on Feb 23, 2009 18:10:34 GMT
I didn't know that either! Live and learn.
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Sir
Feb 23, 2009 18:33:29 GMT
Post by Deleted on Feb 23, 2009 18:33:29 GMT
Askar is a treasury of information, and I certainly hope that he will continue to inform us here about his areas of expertise.
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Sir
Feb 23, 2009 19:30:49 GMT
Post by Kimby on Feb 23, 2009 19:30:49 GMT
Isn't the name of one of the best selling brands of coffeemakers in the U.S. "Mister Coffee"? I have one, and it may be the best-selling brand, but isn't the best coffee- making machine. It takes a ton of grounds to get it strong enough, plus you have to warm your mug a bit in the microwave to get it hot enough. |
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Sir
Feb 23, 2009 23:06:35 GMT
Post by Deleted on Feb 23, 2009 23:06:35 GMT
*blush*  |
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Sir
Mar 10, 2009 17:37:23 GMT
Post by bazfaz on Mar 10, 2009 17:37:23 GMT
Doing a bit of research for a book I came across this curiosity. In the French navy (unlike the other branches of the armed forces) you do not say Mon capitaine. As Askar says, the mon is short for monsieur. It is said that after the annihilation of the French fleet at Trafalgar Napoleon deemed French naval aofficers were not worthy to be monsieur.
Wikipedia says that outsiders sometimes make a mistake and the traditional reply is:
Dans la Marine il y a Mon Dieu et mon cul, pas mon capitaine.
(In the Navy there is My God and my arse, but not mon capitaine.)
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