{"id":12259,"date":"2019-11-14T16:28:04","date_gmt":"2019-11-14T21:28:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.pimsleur.com\/?p=12259"},"modified":"2026-03-13T11:30:24","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T15:30:24","slug":"french-slang-and-texting-phrases-largot-francais","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pimsleur.com\/blog\/french-slang-and-texting-phrases-largot-francais\/","title":{"rendered":"Popular French Slang Expressions and Texting Phrases \u2013 L\u2019argot Fran\u00e7ais!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

L\u2019argot, C\u2019est Quoi ? \u2013<\/strong><\/em> What is Slang?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

J\u2019ai trop le seum<\/em><\/strong> ! <\/em>(I\u2019m pissed!). You may have not understood this expression. Don\u2019t worry, this is argot<\/em> (slang) and it\u2019s not usually taught at school!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slang isn\u2019t actually a new form of language. It\u2019s just a unique way to express funny situations, taboos, put-downs, and other linguistic elements that just aren\u2019t quite captured by standard forms of speaking. L\u2019argot<\/em> is a way of not being understood by authority figures from the police to your parents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like every other language, French has its share of slang. And given the country\u2019s rich history and impressive linguistic heritage, French slang words and French slang expressions rank at the very top of worldwide colloquialisms. France, after all, has produced legendary literary figures, raconteurs, and philosophers like Victor Hugo, Voltaire, Jean-Paul Sartre, Ren\u00e9 Descartes, Antoine de Saint-Exup\u00e9ry, Michel Foucault, and many more. Thus, the source for French slang words comes from a veritable who\u2019s who of greatest thinkers who ever lived!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And given France\u2019s unique imprint on the rest of the world, French colloquialisms can be found around the globe. For example, even French-Canadian<\/a> has its own universe of \u201cFrench-ish\u201d slang that might come in handy if you\u2019re in Quebec or Montreal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The following French lingo is a great diversion as you\u2019re learning the language<\/a>. As you learn more French slang expressions, you\u2019ll gain a greater understanding of French culture, history, literature, art, cinema \u2013 basically anything and everything to help fill in the gaps while taking French courses and lessons<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without further ado, let\u2019s examine some of the most well-known French slang phrases, and even a few obscure ones that are sure to impress any native French speaker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding French Slang<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Today, let\u2019s take a quick look at l\u2019argot fran\u00e7ais<\/em><\/strong>!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

French Slang: From Jails to Jobs to the Internet<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Slang was first born in jails where prisoners could communicate without being understood by prison guards. Deprived of their freedom, it was also a means to create their own world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

History of French Slang<\/strong> \u2013 The Largonji<\/em> des<\/em> Louch\u00e9bems<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Slang was also widely used by craftsmen in every kind of job during the 19th century. The largonji<\/em><\/strong> <\/strong>des<\/em><\/strong> <\/strong>louch\u00e9bems<\/em><\/strong> is a striking example. This slang was specific to butchers from Paris and Lyon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Words in this oral language are concealed by modifying their structure in the following way:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take the consonant at the beginning of the word and place it at the end. Add the letter \u201cl\u201d to the beginning. Then, add a suffix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vous n\u2019avez rien compris ?<\/em> Voici quelques exemples<\/em>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(You didn\u2019t understand? Here are a few examples):<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s take a quick look at the word \u201clouch\u00e9bem<\/em>\u201d itself:<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  • The chosen suffix is -em<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • The word to modify is \u00ab boucher<\/em> \u00bb (butcher)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • The letter \u201cb\u201d is taken out and placed at the end of the word (oucheb<\/em>) and then an accent on the last \u201ce\u201d is added to keep the sound \u201c\u00e9\u201d (ouch\u00e9b).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • The first letter is replaced by \u201cl\u201d (louch\u00e9b<\/em>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • The suffix -em is added (louch\u00e9bem<\/em>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Essayons avec un autre exemple <\/em>: Lonjourbem<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Did you recognize this word? Bonjour<\/em> !<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • The chosen suffix is -em<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • The word to modify is \u00ab bonjour<\/em> \u00bb (hello)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • The letter b is taken out and placed at the end of the word (onjourb)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • The first letter is replaced by \u201cl\u201d (lonjourb)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • The suffix -em is added (lonjourbem)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      In a certain way, the French lingo largonji<\/em><\/strong> <\/strong>des<\/em><\/strong> <\/strong>louch\u00e9bems <\/em><\/strong>is very similar to what\u2019s known as \u201cPig Latin\u201d in English \u2013 fittingly enough, since butchers invented the particular French slang words associated with this way of speaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Why did the butchers use these French slang expressions? One theory is they didn\u2019t want customers to know what went on behind the scenes. In a Parisian butcher shop two hundred years ago\u2026well, you can probably imagine. Quick \u2013 call the local health department!Along with expressing an insult, taboo, or generally off-limits topic, largonji<\/em><\/strong> <\/strong>des<\/em><\/strong> <\/strong>louch\u00e9bems <\/em><\/strong>was yet another form of French slang expressions that served as a \u201csecret language\u201d only understood by those in the know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Facile !<\/strong><\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      French Slang Quiz!<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
      \"verlan<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      *Les r\u00e9ponses sont \u00e0 la fin!<\/em> (Answers are provided at the end of the article.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Le Verlan<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Immigration in France in the second half of the 20th century has influenced the way slang is used. This means of expression emerging from a social group has paved the way to today\u2019s Verlan<\/em>. Verlan<\/em> became increasingly popular thanks to rap groups in the \u201990s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Verlan<\/em> in French means \u201c\u00e0 l\u2019envers<\/em>\u201d (backwards). You need to reverse syllables to speak Verlan<\/em>. For instance, louche<\/em> becomes chelou<\/em>, and fou<\/em> becomes ouf<\/em>. The following video provides an overview of Verlan<\/em>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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