It's quite an insult to call somebody a pear (poire) in French! It's equivalent to calling your target an imbecile. It's bizarre that such a neutral fruit can carry peary pejorative connotations!
The graphic satirist Honoré Daumier drew the 'citizen' King Louis - Philippe I with a fat and very pear shaped knoggin. The last French king didn't like his fruity face or reigning the hexagon shaped country either. Louis- Phillippe abdicated the throne and then fled to England using the name Mr. Smith!
17 cool cats commented:
I had no idea! The dangers and pitfalls in a forgeign language stretch on and on. :)
Wow! That's very surprising. I will not inform my pear tree in the front yard about this sad news. :(
Considering if perhaps a box of pears might make an outstanding gift for a special someone in my life.
; )
Really? Ooo.. i must remember that. No "fruit" calling ..
Mind your language,now! The King is offended!!
Thanks for help me with my French lessons! LOL I have no idea about it, thanks for the clue!
Léia
Hahahaaa...I've taught cartooning to children for years and I'd never heard of the pear-headed king. (guffaw)
In cartooning it is called the teardrop shape.
I think I'm gonna have to invent cartooning using fruit shapes! How VERY fun. Thank you for sharing this! (grin)
great postcard and great post - thanks for pearing, I mean sharing :D
Wow, I had no idea that pear was insulting, very interesting!
Ha, Marie! I didn't know this tidbit of info. Thanks for sharing and giving me a laugh! :)
LOL, bizarre.
That's very plummy, Marie. ;o)
Oh my, I never knew! And to think pears are one of my all-time favourite fruits, too (not that I would have ever got the urge to call somebody one in any language ;). You always have the most delightful fun facts! :)
Big hugs,
♥ Jessica
I had no idea of a pear's bad French connotations. Good thing I've been warned!
hahaha!I should try this one:))
great blog:X
hahaha!I should try this one:))\
great blog:X
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