Ever been to Lozère? You’re bound to know most of these expressions, or have heard them before! For the rest of you, here’s a taste of what’s in store…
The cardabelle is a plant that grows on the limestone soils of the Causse, of which it is the symbol. Nailed to doors, it serves as a barometer and good luck charm.Local expressions
Useful expressions and words for your stayAllaboutexpressions
From Lozère
Herd of sheep on the Causses with dogsFrequently used words
Macarel: Used to express surprise or annoyance.
Les bartas: The bushes
Un plastras: A well-filled dish or plate.
Boudiou! Good heavens!
Benleu: Perhaps…
Peuchère / Pecaïre: “My poor” or “my poor” in a sincere or ironic way
Estoufadou / Estoufadis: When a cake is very dry or tight, we say it’s an estoufadou, in other words, it’s a Christian étouffe.
Un bringuaïre: A party animal.
Le pitchou ou la pitchoune: The little one.
Assuqué / ensuqué: Stunned, put to sleep… by the sun, for example, or after a meal.
Saïque!: All the same!
Useful verbs to know
Rouméguer: To grumble
Festejer: To celebrate
Saquer: Support
Espanter: Surprise strongly
Empéguer: To take, to be taken
Bouléguer: Refers to the action of shuffling the balls in a lotto game (lotto is a popular pastime in the South, rather like bingo in England). It has become a synonym for “to move, to stir up”.
Escaner: To choke
Chourrer: To steal or to be dreamy, pensive, sad.
Old gate of the Village le Massegros
A cazelle, a small heritage site on the Causse Méjean100% local expressions
Il te fait un cagnard, ça cogne: It’s hot …
Faire la bringue: To party
Ça pègue: It sticks
T’es un fada: You’re crazy!
Quel feignasse: What a slacker…
Aqui oui: Yes, there!
Arrête de m’emboucaner: Arrête de me prendre la tête
Qu’es acó? What is it?
A bisto de nas: A vue de nez, d’oeil
Que fas ou kefas? What are you doing, what do you want to do?
It’s mostly spoken fluently by the elders, but young people also use a few expressions.
