A Selection from the Comedies of Marivaux

by Pierre Carlet de Chamblain de Marivaux

[55] L'ÉTOURDIR, 'To make him forget.'

[56] CROCHETEUR, 'Porter.' The name is derived from the crochet (hook) which they use in lifting or carrying heavy weights. Another and more common meaning of the word is 'picklock,' or 'housebreaker,' from crocheter. Crochet must have given crochetier. It is probably due to paronymy that crocheteur and not crochetier has come to be used for 'porter' (Littré).

[57] DANS SON MIROIR. An elliptical form for Quand elle se regarde dans son miroir.

[58] TOUJOURS, 'In the meantime.'

[59] BIEN VENU. Now written in one word as a noun and with the article.

[60] TON COEUR N'A QU'À SE BIEN TENIR, 'Your heart must be on its guard.'

[61] C'EST BIEN DES AFFAIRES, 'What nonsense!'

[62] NE M'EN FAIT POINT ACCROIRE, 'Does not make me overrate myself.' (Littré, "Accroire," 3°.}

[63] SÉRIEUX, 'Formal.'

[64] SUR LE QUI-VIVE, 'Standing on ceremony.'