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The rooster as symbol of France

Cocorico! says the rooster as symbol of France «Cocorico», the French onomatopoeia for the rooster crowing sound (cock-a-doodle-doo), is also used to express national pride but often with a touch of irony. Why? The cock or rooster has played a role in the symbolism and folklore of many nations for thousands of years. For many people, the rooster symbolizes bravery, boldness and virility as he defends the flock. The connection with the rooster as symbol of France in particular may quite simply stem from the similarity of the Latin words for cock (gallus) and inhabitant of Gaul (gallicus), now known as France. This play on words was known in Roman times, when many Gauls used roosters to symbolize their loyalty to Gaul. In the Middle Ages the cock was widely depicted in French churches and is recorded in 14th century German references to France. Chaucer’s foolish and boastful Chantecleer in the Canterbury Tales may have refered to the French national character. During…

Avoir les portugaises ensablées

In making this Speak Easy puzzle I very much enjoyed learning the origin of "Avoir les portugaises ensablées" via the wonderful website Expressio. The expression means to be deaf, so indeed I was intrigued to know how deafness and Portugal are related. The origin goes back to the a slang term for ear (oreille) from the middle of the 20th century which was "portugaise". Portugaise simply refers to a type of oyster called portuguese which is shaped like an ear. From there to the idea of the oyster full of sand making you hard of hearing is just a short stretch. Next obvious question then is why do we call huitres creuses "portuguese" oysters? 1868 - the ship called The Morlaisien, was delivering oysters from Portugal to France (some stories say to northern France some say to the Arcachon bassin) when the ship was forced to hold over in the Gironde Estuary. The oysters spoiled and the captain decided to dump them overboard. Apparently not all of them had expired, some even thri…

When the French are less French

When the French are less French This is the installment that our French hosts, cousins, counterparts, entourage have dreaded. When the French are less French. (We offer it, however, with tender feelings, hoping that will matter.) For years, FUSAC’s Hints for Newcomers-Hindsights for Oldtimers column has explored Anglo-French cultural and linguistic differences, the behavior and words that separate Parisians from Peorians, Niçois from New Yorkers, Cabourgais from Clevelanders. But while some of those differences are so profoundly embedded in millennia of national identity as to seem eternally immutable, others have begun melting away. Blame globalization. Blame the ubiquitousness of U.S. TV series. Blame students sent on exchange programs and executives sent on voyages d’affairs. Blame the “cool” appeal of Anglo jargon or the difficulty of fitting French verbosity into 140 characters. Whatever the reason, here is a (merely) four-category list of evidence that the gaping gulf is…

More French entrepreneur families

French entrepreneur families are the names you see on the streets and on brands that are familiar they are Inventors and business people. Here's their story.

The Despature Family – Damart Thermolactyl

More than 400 million pieces of Thermolactyl clothing have been sold since its invention in 1953. The story began with the Despature brothers who in 1950 inherited a fabric factory in Roubaix. Textile manufacturing was in decline and the three brothers got to thinking about how to save their business. Inspiration came via their aunt who had rheumatism and who talked about the virtues of triboelectricity (an electric charge generated by friction). The brothers invented a fabric that when in contact with the skin creates electrostatic warmth. It also did not retain dampness. Their invention took off. The first Parisian shop was opened in 1957 and in 1958 the radio station Europe 1 chose Thermolactyl, the first high tech fabric made in France, as one of the most i…

American author in Paris Jake Lamar

This is the second part of our interview with American author in Paris Jake Lamar, his editor calls him the most French of the Americans. Here's how he does his craft.

For part one of American author in Paris see this link

Q: Do you have a writing routine, or any quirky routines while you write?

A: Music is first and foremost. I kept my bachelor’s apartment after I met my wife. I met her in 1996, at that time I had a small studio apartment in Montmartre, after we moved in together I kept that apartment as my office. I have a separate place where I work. We live in the 18th arrondissement together, but my office is about 5-7 minutes away. When I’m there, I’m in my sacred work space. I usually start work in the afternoon. I haven’t been able to have a regular writing pattern for years. Back in the 90s, I had a generous grant and back then, writers could live from publisher’s advances, but those days are over. During my fi…

Birds in Paris and Speak Easy

A few years ago I started noticing birds and now the city is full of nature. Birds are everywhere, including in the city, if you just look and listen a little more closely. Here are a few of the birds you can see in Paris. Two of my favorites are the tiniest and busiest. The European robin and the wren. The European robin is the one you see on greeting cards all over the place, he is an artist's favorite with his bright orange-red face and neck. When you see him you'll recognize him right away by his color and shape - he looks like he just ate a ping pong ball - just that size and nicely round. The Wren is even smaller, multi-shades of brown has a stubby turned up tail. The wren makes a noise bigger than most bigger birds. Once you learn their song (listen here) you'll start hearing wrens everywhere. Another big talker is the Magpie. This bird is a little smaller than a crow, has a long thin tail and is iridescent black and white. When the sunlight glints off his…

Discount tickets at Theatre Champs-Elysées

Have you been to The Theatre des Champs-Elysées? Despite the name, it is not on Les Champs-Elysées but not far at all, Avenue Montaigne. I must say that I did not know much about the place (despite being a Parisian!) and I was so pleasantly surprised when I visited it. It is a hidden gem with a rich history and a fantastic program. It is one of the most beautiful theaters in Paris and now they are offering FUSAC readers a chance to hear two American lyrical singers at 30% off.

First up is Charles Castronovo, tenor, with Ludovic Tézier, baritone, performing Messa di Gloria by Giacomo Puccini. This brilliant work written with passion and which allows us to delve into the most intimate and spiritual side of Puccini. Use this link for a 30% discount: Choix des places [Théâtre des Champs-Elysées | 12.05.2022 - 20:00 | Messa di Gloria - Puccini] - Théâtre des Champs-Elysées (theatrechampselysees.fr) The week after offers us A rare display of d…

The Fabulous TASTE OF PARIS

Head's up ! The Fabulous TASTE OF PARIS is back From May 12 to 15, 2022, Taste of Paris is back at the Grand Palais Éphémère for a 7th mouthwatering edition. Now a must-visit event, the festival brings together the best of the Parisian culinary scene and announces an unprecedented cast of more than 40 chefs from all horizons -- from starred chefs to figures of the avantguard, including several leading pastry icons. Behold ! Festival-goers will have the opportunity to taste 86 creations offered in 17 pop-up restaurants and patisseries. They will also be able stroll through a huge gourmet market, attend masterclasses by great chefs at the Laurent-Perrier Theater and learn about eco-responsible cooking at the Atelier Dine for Change. Let the party begin ! Taste of Paris overview in numbers:

30 CHEFS

11 PASTRY CHEFS

59 DISHES

27 DESSER…

Earth Day Kid’s Books

This weekend we celebrate not only Earth Day, on April 22nd, but also Independent Bookstore Day on April 23rd! Bill & Rosa’s Book Room is taking part in this year’s Fête de la Librairie Indépendante, come by to browse our books, get a handmade paper rose made out of recycled books and buy the book that Association Verbes puts out every year, a special collector edition that will help you discover the literature selections that have influenced 50 writers! To celebrate both Earth Day and Independent Bookstore Day, we have asked other international bookstores in Paris to recommend a few books about ecology for children in French and in English. Their suggestions follow. Best of all Join us at the Book Room on April 23rd at 4pm for a kids story time with Anjali Morard, author of Fortnum’s Night Out, where a crocodile disguises himself as a monster to go to a party, a picture book for kids aged 3 to 7. Please sign up by e-mail at brbookroom@gmail.com! Librairie Les Mots e…

Independent Bookstore Day – 23 April

April 23 is Saint George's Day. Saint George is the patron of booksellers thus his day was chosen as Independent Bookstore Day, an initiative of Association Verbes, which aims to promote independent bookstores and to maintain the special status they have in France in the face of ever more present threats, such as e-books. This initiative was started twenty-three years ago and today, Independent Bookstore Day is celebrated in 80 countries. Each year, the association publishes 23,000 copies of a book whose purpose is to acquaint people with publishing and with the demands of running a bookstore. This year's book, on sale for just 3€, is a compilation of reading lists that ispired 50 French authors. Each author also has a page to describe the view from their writing space. Bill& Rosa’s Book Room will participate in this year’s event, check out this page for more information on our activities. This year, to celebrate Independent Bookstore Day, we thought you'd like to meet a…

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