Lately, I don’t know why, like Joan Of Arc I have been hearing voices.
When sleeping or when in a semi-conscious state, some common American and French sayings have been dancing in my head.
It must be something in the air; I might have inhaled some whiffs of La Poudre de Perlimpinpin that has lately been polluting the American atmosphère.
The powder of Perlimpinpin by the way, is a remedy supposedly miraculous but totally ineffective.
I have been feeling itchy all over. I have the sneaky suspicion to have been “rolled in flour” (avoir été roulé dans la farine) – lied to.
Like the Maid of Orleans, I have heard voices… speaking out with both sides of their mouths.
Saying different things to different people about the same subject.
I have seen a recurrent picture of a cow.
Ce n’est pas la vache qui crie le plus fort qui donne le plus de lait.
English equivalent: It is not the hen that cackles the loudest that hatches the most eggs.
I have seen Le Malin (the Cunning One) dining with Swamps Creatures.
Quand on dîne avec le diable, il faut se munir d’une longue cuiller.
If you are going to dine with the devil, you must use a long spoon.
Meaning: Someone who treats others badly will eventually turn on you.
I have caught sight of smoke and mirrors.
Something that is described as smoke and mirrors is intended to make you believe that something is being done or is true, when it is not.
I have smelled inorganic cow manure.
“Bullshit” is commonly used to describe statements made by people more concerned with the response of the audience than in truth and accuracy.”
I have the feeling that somebody will soon or already have “put water in his wine”
(mettre de l’eau dans son vin) a figurative expression that means ‘to compromise’, ‘to meet someone halfway.’
I think that I already faintly heard where is the beef? an all-purpose phrase questioning the substance of an idea, event or product.
Alain