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FRENCH WORD OF THE DAY

French Word of the Day: Destitution

This French word has little to do with a president's financial situation, though he or she may end up this way after an unfortunate turn of events.

Published: 20 August 2024 12:06 CEST

French Word of the Day: Destitution

Photo: Annie Spratt/Unsplash/Nicolas Raymond

Why do I need to know destitution?

Because people might use this term longingly when discussing their political adversaries.

What does it mean?

Destitution – roughly pronounced deh-stih-to-see-ohn – is a ‘false friend’ with the English term. In French, it does not refer to extreme poverty, but rather it is defined as “the action of removing or depriving someone from their office, job or function”.

It is also defined as “the most serious disciplinary action taken against a ministerial official or certain civil servants.”

Most of the time when you hear destitution used it would be to discuss the impeachment of a president.

So far, no French president has ever been impeached, and the constitutional article allowing for the process was only added in 2007.

In order to impeach a French president, there is a lengthy parliamentary process that requires the agreement of more than two thirds of both legislative chambers. You can read more about how destitution works here.

Use it like this

Le sénateur a proposé l’idée de la destitution du président. – The senator proposed the idea of impeaching the president.

J’aimerais qu’une procédure de destitution soit engagée. Ce président se comporte comme un dictateur depuis trop longtemps. – I would like to see an impeachment proceeding invoked. This president has acted like a dictator for too long.

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French Phrase of the Day: Faire sa toilette

Why do I need to know faire sa toilette?

Because this expression might come up when discussing your pet’s daily habits.

What does it mean?

Faire sa toilette – roughly pronounced fair sah twa-let – translates as ‘to do one’s toilet’.

In reality, it does not have to do with urinating, but rather it means to ‘wash with water and soap’ or clean/groom/preen yourself.

This meaning may ring a bell for those familiar with old-fashioned English phrase ‘to be at one’s toilette’ – which can found in novels by authors ranging from Jane Austen to Agatha Christie.

Although the English phrase has largely fallen out of use, the French expression – sometimes shortened to faire toilette – is still used, though it is a bit traditional, and thus more likely to be used by older people.

Instead, you might hear people use se laver (to wash) or prendre une douche (to take a shower).

As for the origins of the expression, we can look to the original meaning of the word toilette (which eventually led to the English word ‘toilet’).

In the mid-16th century, a toilette was a ‘cloth or wrapper’, initially used as a “cloth cover for a dressing table”. Later, it went on to refer to washing oneself, and by the 19th century it referred to a dressing room or washing area.

These days you are most likely to hear faire sa toilette when referring to animals (particularly cats) grooming or cleaning themselves.

Similarly, the expression toilettage means ‘grooming’ for cats and dogs, so if you want to have your animals’ fur professionally brushed or trimmed, then you would pay for a toilettage.

This comes from the verb toiletter, which nowadays is used when discussing the cleaning or brushing of domestic animals. It has a second, colloquial meaning too. You might see toiletter used when discussing a slight modification to a law or legislative text.

Use it like this

Maman doit faire sa toilette avant l’arrivée des invités. – Mum needs to freshen up before the guests arrive.

Le chat fait sa toilette tous les matins. – The cat grooms himself every morning.

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