What does the idiomatic French expression ce n'est pas mardi gras aujourd'hui mean? Click the link above to learn all about it, and then come back here to share your thoughts.
More: French expressions |Common French phrases
Celebrate: Learn some French Mardi gras vocabulary, make a Mardi gras mask, and check out my pictures: Carnavale de Nice
More: French expressions |
Celebrate: Learn some French Mardi gras vocabulary, make a Mardi gras mask, and check out my pictures: Carnavale de Nice
Comments
Probably a better translation is: “This isn’t a fancy dress party, you know”.
This is one of those comments one learns, but would never dare use!!
Septimus Fry is quite correct. Why teach mean things to people? The world is filled to the brim with hate and meanness. Why add to it? Give more useful expressions that are needed in everyday life without base or mean things.
I think your translation is quite appropriate and accurate. French humor,however, finds a more receptive audience in english (american) speakers who are also fluent in italian and spanish.
Would you use this phrase just to mock clothing or would it be generalized to mean anything ridiculous?
What about being greedy? That was what I guessed the translation would be before I read it!
It’s helpful to learn and understand such comments whether one plans to use them oneself or not! Laura – I’ve noted that others have thanked you – often – but I have to join the throng today. Just read your piece re loving France – while understanding I was unsure how to explain expletif ne – you anticipated and explained! Yr other explanations also VERY helpful. And all without charge. I am SO grateful for your generosity and skill. Merci mille fois! Barb
cette expression est surtout utilisée par les parents quand leurs enfants se sont habillés bizarrement, de toute façon c’est une expression humoristique et ce n’est pas méchant. Ce n’est pas comme si on disait “tu es habillé comme un sac!”
“Ce n’est pas mardi gras aujourd’hui” may be similar to when in Australia we say to someone “Are you wearing that for a bet?”
Aux Etats-Unis il y a une expression comme “ce n’est pas mardi gras aujourd’hui”. On dit: “You look like you’re dressed for Halloween!”. By it we simply mean, in a playful way, that someone is dressed outrageously.
@Richard – lighten up.
this would be a humorous jibe between friends. My sister often asks me “is the circus in town?” when we get dressed up. And it is good to know how to use it in self-deprecation.
Thanks, Laura.
Si un de mes amis est habillé bizarrement, je lui demande en englais – “Are you planning to be a clown?”
This expression doesn’t convey any hate or meanness, unless one uses as mockery. But it’s not always the case. It’s a matter of how someone delivers it.
Ms. Laura just shared us, the French way, of saying someone’s outfit is inappropriate or too extravagant! That’s not always a bad intention. It’s just like an idiomatic expression and we learn that in schools.
It’s okay to use that expression to someone you personally know, like your sister, or a close friend, who can understand what you mean. It’s your concern to that person whom you don’t want to be laughed at because of his/her over flamboyancy.
On the other hand, don’t use that to your boss, or you’ll end in a noodle den! Haha! Let his costume adviser do the scrutiny!
Has no one ever heard the obvious (and at least as mean) equivalent in the US “Hey, it’s not Halloween!” — this is exactly the sort of thing regular-dressing mean people (usually mainstream-conforming teenagers) have always said to anyone who dresses differently.
Love this expression! Thanks. Its really helpful for informal conversations!
my family is from New Orleans so when we see someone dressed ridiculosly we say “I know u mardi gras!”
@(13) … you’ll end in a noodle den…
))
I’ve no idea what it means but it’s hilarious
I guess ending in a noodle den is like we say in the UK, ‘you’ll end up as a checkout chick!’ or you’ll have to get a MacJob. (Actually if I was broke I would welcome being a checkout chick. No shame in it. )
J’aime cette expression. Chaque fois que je l’entends utilisé, ca me fait rire. Il est vraiment comique. Une autre expression que j’ai entendu et l’a trouvé très drôle:>
Une personne remarque la tenue extravagante et criarde porté par une connaissance et dit,
“That’s quite an outfit you are wearing ! – by the way: how does your seeing-eye dog like it” ? (Ouch).
Merci Laura.
J’aime cette expression. it is perfect to say to persons who do not know french around persons who do.
love it! your site is great, thanks