French friends taught me a new word recently– patapouf! This means rotund, plumb, often applied to babies. Sometimes translated as “butterball”. Isn’t this a cute word? Definitely the name of my next cat (I’ve already been telling Vino Bambino that he’s looking a bit “pataflouffy“).
Which got me thinking, what makes a word “cute,” in a particular language?
In English, we often put an -y or an -ie on a word to make it cute. Think of nicknames: Bill becomes Billy, Mom becomes Mommy. There’s fluffy, cutie, sweetie, and so on.
Years ago a French friend introduced me to her gray (gris) cat, named Grisou. When I asked her about the name, she explained that the French often add -ou to a word to make it cute. Think bise (kiss) and bisou (a peck on the cheek). Another French diminuitive is -ette: maison, maisonette. Sometimes that -ou or -ouf comes in the middle of the word. Which brings to mind Anouk’s imaginary kangaroo in the movie Chocolat, Pantoufle.
And speaking of cute “-ou”‘ words, dou-dou is a baby’s comfort blanket or toy. Which is pronounced like the word doux, which itself means soft or sweet. Dou-dous for babies are typically a clever combo of a small stuffed animal and a blankie. No French bébé would be without one.
Here is Vino Bambino, proudly showing off his patapouf-iness. Is it time for un régime?
Ok, cuteness overload! Do you have any favorite cute French words to share?
In the COMMENTS: Merci for your recipes! I have never heard ot Gujarati carrots, Paula, but I want to try them and also take a look at that cookbook. Natalia, I never thought of carrots for a sauce, but it sounds delicious. Not to mention Debbie’s carrot salad, with the clever addition of coconut. Which turns Debbie’s husband into a chick magnet! Christine, a friend just gave me a jar of preserved lemons, which are new to me, so I’m trying out recipes. Vicky, it’s STILL hot here, 103 degrees today! And, as Francine knows, even in the Alps.
Favorite READS: I just read a novel that wowed me–upbeat, funny, and wise. It’s called Villa Coco, by Andrew Sean Geer. If you liked Travels with my Aunt, by Graham Green–a favorite of mine–you will like this one. Natalia’s book this week is Letters from Provence by Sheryle Bagwell, which tells a most interesting true French story. Chris recommends another French memoir, A Season for That, by Steve Hoffman. And by the way, if you are thinking of moving to France, Francine shared an upcoming on-line event, Living the French Dream, a how-to program.
7 thoughts on “Are You Patapouf?”
I find Poubelle too cute to mean trash bin but there you have it. My favorite French word of all time is Voila! It explains so much and everything. Voila 🤗
I LOVED VILLA COCO and of course you know my breads…easy peasy, no-knead breads, especially the focaccia for summer panzanella and sandwiches. Here’s a great red sweet pepper paste ricette from a vegan grandchild, but don’t worry –it tastes really good haha. Roast 12 little sweet colored peppers in a hot oven until a bit charred, de-seed if necessary (they have few seeds) and place in the top of a food processor. Add 1 teaspoon sumac (if you have it-otherwise no problem), 2 garlic cloves, a teaspoon of honey or syrup, 1/2 cup bread crumbs, 100 g toasted walnuts or almonds, a spoon of tomato sauce or paste, a pinch of chili flakes, and blend it all with enough olive oil to make a thick dip. I love this over pasta, too…with parmesan added on top.
Oh, Vino, you ain’t got nothin’ on your distant cousin, Bellie. She’ll send you a pic if she can. It’ll keep your ma off your back. ( With a name like Vino ya gotta’ talk NYC Italy!)
How about les “toutous” pour parler des touristes en France. Les toutous envahissent les plages de la Méditerranée en août.
Oh dear Lynn,I love this word patapouf–it is just is darling!!– and ALMOST as adorable as precious Vino!!! You always share such terrific finds with us! What a wonderful post( as always!)Thank you!!! And thank you for asking:
I admit it, without doubt, I am beyond hopelessly smitten with notre mot favoris, (les )mignons!! It so perfectly describes our ( four pawed) kids Elley and Ari,and just makes me smile each time I hear it!
My book choice this time is by our reliably great author Musso:La Jeune Fille et La Nuit.( French edition)
I was not familiar with this one,but my kindle popped up with a super selection of his work in both French and English.As always, it held and kept my attention , good plot,and very appealingly ,is easy to read and understand without having to keep looking up vocabulary.I prefer to choose French editions, But sometimes laziness wins out and I get the English ones ,too and cross check my translations.
Lynne:
There are four different books titled Letters from Provence – to which are you and Natalia referring? The van Gogh, the Bagwell, the Bailey or the Phillips version?
Hi Laura, I did put the correct one in the link, but it appears the link on that title is broken, so thanks for calling it to my attention, and I’ve corrected it on the post. My but there are lots of Letters to Provence! This one is by Sheryle Bagwell, but it sounds like the others might be worth checking out.