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Why do you call it a canicule? and other funny words

Word etymologies are great fun and often picturesque. Here's a few word etymologies starting with one you hear every summer, especially in August:

Canicule

Usually this French word is translated to English as heatwave, but a more picturesque and almost literal translation would be "the dog days of summer". Basically it means that it is very hot, hotter than it usually is. But why this reference both in the French "cani" and English to dogs? What do dogs have to do with heat? It goes back to astronomy. The Dog Star, or Sirius, rises and sets with the sun during the summer. Thus the most sultry time of the year became associated with the Dog Star, called canicula in Latin. The word canicule dates from about 1500, but the Romans and Greeks had already been refering to the dog days and associating them with the star Sirius.

Sirius rises late in the dark, liquid sky; On summer nights, star of stars, Orion's Dog they call it, brightest Of all, but…

The traffic report for highways in France is called Bison Futé

Traffic report for Highways in France or Bison Futé

Bison Futé or the "Clever Bison", is the national traffic website for Highways in France and now also available as a phone app. The Bison gives the current incident reports (accidents, closures, construction) for all highways in France as well as predictions of traffic volume for holiday weekends. It is a very helpful site for avoiding notorious traffic jams on French roads during the high traffic weekens on the routes des vacances. But why on Earth is the traffic reporting system called "Bison Futé" and incarnarted by an American Indian? The "clever" part makes sense as the clever traveler avoids traffic, but why "bison"? Well they almost choose Ginette la Girafe (who could see a long ways thanks to her height, note that in French girafe takes just one "f"). Other suggestions for a mascot were Thimothée the bird who culd see far ahead with her binoculars, a dolphin or a rat, so why not an Indian? Bison Fut…

Meringue: A small patisserie made from egg white and sugar

Meringue : A small patisserie made from egg white and sugar. Historians of cookery say that this little patisserie was invented in 1720. This invention is attributed to a Swiss pastry cook called Gasparini from the small town of Mehrinyghen, hence the name. Was meringue a prefered food of the royalty? The first meringues made in France were served in Nancy to King Stanislaus who praised them highly. It was he no doubt who gave the recipe for the sweet to Marie Leczinska who also enjoyed it very much. Queen Marie Antoinette had a great liking for meringues as well. Court lore says she made them herself at the Trianon, where she also made vacherins which are similar. One of the current shops dedicated to meringue in France, Les Merveilles de Fred, continues the royal aspect of the pastry using massive crystal chandeliers, gold, mirrors and royal silhouettes to decorate their rather baroque shops. Their products are handcrafted in each boutique in full view of the …

A brief History of the Cookbook

Most households have at least a few cookbooks: perhaps some have been passed down through generations; perhaps others, more recent, cater to the various dietary needs and restrictions in the household. Cookbooks are a familiar sight, but what do we really know about their history? One of the most famous early cookbooks dates back to the 2nd century BCE. It is called the Deipnosophistai (“The Learned Banquet”) and is a treatise on food and food preparation written by Athenaeus, a Greek gourmet. This was however not the earliest cookbook by any means. That honor goes to the Yale Culinary Tablets, three of which date back to 1730 B.C. They are from the Mesopotamian region, or what is today Turkey, Syria, Iran and Iraq. In fact, much of what we eat today was cultivated or domesticated in that region. The tablets provide recipes for more than two dozen Mesopotamian dishes, such as stews of pigeon, lamb or spleen (A team of international scholars set out to recreate three of the r…

Everything you need to know about French weddings

Everything you need to know about French weddings If you've been invited to a wedding in France, you're in for a delightful experience. French weddings are elegant and lavish affairs, though they follow some different customs and traditions compared to typical Anglo-American weddings. As a guest, it is helpful to become familiar with some of the key differences so you know what to expect, can fully enjoy the occasion, and avoid any faux pas. Some customs may well surprise you but follow the leads of others and don’t be shy to ask questions. Your hosts will surely appreciate your interest in experiencing their cultural traditions. Above all else, be prepared to celebrate with joie de vivre – the joy of living! A French wedding is a perfect place to embrace that spirit. Two ceremonies – religious and civil Religious ceremonies are becoming rarer in France, with most couples opting for a civil ceremony only. This typically takes place at the town hall, led by the mayor or h…

Emblems and Symbols of France

Symbols and emblems of France The symbols and emblems of a country are defined by their constitution or simply by usage. Thus France has only one official symbol, the flag. There are of course also the national anthem, the language and the motto which are official and designated in the Constitution. France also has several other symbols that have come into use over the years such as Marianne, the fasces and the rooster. In this article we'll present the history and development of the official and non official symbols of France. Article II de la Constitution: La langue de la République est le français. L’emblème national est le drapeau tricolore, bleu, blanc, rouge. L’hymne national est la « Marseillaise ». La devise de la République est « Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité ». Son principe est: gouvernement du peuple, par le peuple et pour le peuple. The flag The flag of France was not designed in one linear process as with some more recently independent countries. It …

Jojoni Ensemble 0 at Festival Sonic Bloom

● Festival Sonic Bloom ● 8-14 juillet Play concerts... without destroying the planet! Tour by bike along the Canal de Bourgogne with Jojoni Everybody loves a summer festival and France offers thousands to choose from. Sonic Bloom is a different kind of festival. It's an experimental sound experience that travels by bike. The first edition of Sonic Bloom was held in June 2021 in the community gardens of Dijon. It was a sort of end of confinement party. This second edition in 2023 is designed in two stages: first as a festival on the seam between the city and the countryside. A first weekend in Dijon and in the natural spaces of the Dijon conurbation, dedicated to encounters between musical, craft, culinary and vegetable practices, and participatory projects; then a bike tour along the Burgundy Canal: 200 km in six stages during which each evening will focus on and with the inhabitants and associations which are the life of the villages and cities bordering the canal. Natu…

The Power of a Postcard – make an impact

The Power of a Postcard - make an impact

I've received postcards from my parents when they travel for many years. I've kept nearly all of them in a file and some day when they can no longer travel it will become a set of reminiscences to look at with them. The power of a postcard picture and small bits of information on the weather or activities will bring their trips back to life and lead us on to various and sundry conversations. I also have a collection of my-grandmother-in-law's postcards which she sent in the 1940s and 50s when traveling in the United States. Some were picked up along the way at the Howard Johnson's Motor Inn or others in National Parks.

I know from being both the sender and receiver of postcards how the power of a postcard is to bring joy. That's why when we created Bill & Rosa's Book Room we put in a POP desk dedicated to what we call the Power of a Postcard. Time and time again we have found that taking a few minutes to hand writ…

A French Icon, the Citroen 2CV

A French Icon, the Citroen 2CV is probably France's most famous car.

The Deux Chevaux, or the ‘Tin Snail’ as it became affectionately known, was conceptualized in 1936 during a moment of frustration or the right man in the right situation. The inspired man behind the project was Citroen’s new boss Pierre-Jules Boulanger. The story goes he was driving in the countryside, stuck behind a farmer’s horse and cart. Rather than fuming with impatience, but still a bit frustrated, he wondered how he could better the situation. He pondered the possibility of creating analternative that a farmer would find hard to resist. A car that would better the horse.

His vision was an affordable car that would be accessible to farmers, winemakers and rural families. He wanted it to be mechanically simple, with room for four people or produce (at least 50kg or a full cask of wine) or even small livestock. The car needed t…

ANNA KLUMPKE IN THE GARDEN

If you haven't yet visited the Chateau and Atelier of Rosa Bonheur you have another reason to go this summer.

ANNA KLUMPKE IN THE GARDEN JUNE 1ST TO SEPTEMBER 18TH EXHIBITION

Anna Klumpke (1856-1942) was an American portrait and genre painter born in San Francisco, California, United States. She and her family lived in Germany, Switzerland and France during her formative years. In childhood Anna had once owned a Rosa Bonheur doll. Her family was well-educated and accomplished. Read about two of her sisters who were pioneers in math and science here. https://fusac.fr/women-scientists-international-women-and-girls-in-science-day/. A thrid sister was a pianist and Anna studied art at the Académie Julian in Paris. She spent many an hour copying paintings in the Musée du Luxembourg, including Rosa Bonheur's Ploughing in the Nivernais. She presented her first work at the Paris Salon in 1884 and exhibited regularly in following years. While still a…

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