French Idioms and Proverbs / A Companion to Deshumbert's "Dictionary of Difficulties"

by de V. Payen-Payne

Bagage

Quel est le bagage de cet auteur? = What works has that author written? What is that author’s output?

Plier bagage = To pack up and be off.

Bagatelle

Bagatelles que tout cela = That is all stuff and nonsense.

Vive la bagatelle! = Away with care!

Bague

Cette place est une bague au doigt = That position is a sinecure.

[C’est une bague au doigt is said of any advantageous possession of which one can dispose easily. Quitard derives it from the custom of the seller of land giving to the purchaser as his title a ring on which both had sworn.]

Baguette