Avoir Le Cafard - French Expression Explained

Avoir Le Cafard - French Expression Explained The French expression Avoir le cafard means to feel low, to be down in the dumps, to be depressed. It literally translates to to have the cockroach and is pronounced [ah  vwar  leu  kah  far]. It has an informal register. Etymology The French word  cafard, which is probably from Arabic  kafr, miscreant, non-believer  (according to Le Grand Robert CD-ROM) has several meanings: a person who pretends to believe in Godtattletalecockroachmelancholy It was the  poet, Charles Baudelaire, in  Les Fleurs du mal, who first imbued  cafard  (and also  spleen, incidentally) with the fourth meaning. So the French expression  avoir  le cafard  isnt related to cockroaches at all (even though it kind of makes sense- who wouldnt feel bad about having cockroaches?) Example In order to use the phrase, you need to conjugate the verb avoir. Je ne peux pas me concentrer aujourdhui - jai le cafard.I cant concentrate today - Im depressed. Source Le Robert Staff. Le Grand Robert CD ROM. Edition 1, The Robert, 2004.

Mary kate and ashley essays

Mary kate and ashley essays As part of the American dream, everyone aspires to be prosperous. Despite the struggles along the way people still want to be rich for anything. For some people, making a lot of money comes easy to them than others. However, for Mary-Kate and Ashley Olson, that would be an understatement. Mary-Kate and Ashley were born June 13, 1986 in Sherman Oakes, California to David and Jarnette Olson. They began their acting career in 1987 when they were chosen to play the role of Michelle Tanner on the television series, Full House. The show became a hit with books, dolls, and other merchandise being sold to promote it. During the years the show was on the air, they had a TVQ, popularity rating, second only to Bill Cosby. The twins continued to share the role through the shows end in 1995. During the years of Full House they teamed up with Robert Thorne and created Dualstar, their production company. After various TV movies, big screen movies and TV series shows, the twins became the youngest producers in history at age 6. They also have a magazine and clothing line. By the time they were 10, they became the youngest self-made millionaires in American history. On their 17th birthday, the USs CNN announced not only their birthday, but also the twins financial worth, which is $150,000,000 for each. They are predicted that they may be billionaires by the time their 21. Not only are they millionaires, but theyre also gorgeous. They happen to be number 61 in the 100 sexiest women alive. These fraternal twins who look like identical twins, have built their own empire over the last 18 years. These twins have done everything you can possibly imagine involving entertainment; TV shows, movies, sing-a-longs, dances, plus make up, clothes, fragrance and a magazine. Therefore, Mary-Kate and Ashley have built their own name for them. Still extremely successful and earning more and more money th...

The Gay Option by Stephanie Fairyington Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Gay Option by Stephanie Fairyington - Essay Example For the same sex attractions of an individual, it is incorrect and futile to blame parenting of mother or immediate relatives. None should volunteer to tender him concepts of happiness; none should give opinions after opinions to rob him of his private dignity. Such a gay should remove from his dictionary phrases like â€Å"shattering experience,† â€Å"self-loathing,† etc. The gay’s normal world must run according to his plans; terms and conditions should not apply for his existence with honor. Instead of hide and seek, it is better to deserve and remain contented with what the gay has been blessed with without asking. About the experience undergone by the protagonist Stephanie Fairyington writes, â€Å"It worked. Five years later, my mother continues to talk about my lesbianism as if it were a genetic defect like Down syndrome—a parallel she’s actually drawn—because clearly, in her mind, no one would choose such a detestable and challengin g state of being.† (http://www.utne.com)These are the punch lines and the ultimate philosophy for the gay to live with honor. This is the ideal that a mother can do for her dear child. The second step the author rightly chooses is to let the mother know that the gay has the option on the issue. This awareness in her was the new beginning in the life for the gay. The immediate question is what could be that choice. Many forces of opposition that are waiting in the wings to see the drama of gay’s life will arrive on the stage to express pity, opposition, condemnation, intolerance about attack on the established norms of the society, loss in the societal equilibrium, with the ardent advice to change the decision. Change decision and do what? None has the answer. The actors have left the stage and disappeared behind the curtain. The protagonist was alone again. Back to square one! The homosexual inclination of the gay is one’s natural trait. The physical structure an d mental horizon of the gay is true to the design of the nature that created him thus. Why the nature did this for the gay is one of the many unsolved mysteries of nature. The interventions of the societal leaders about the issues related to the gays needs to be of benevolence and not malevolence. Social reformation and rehabilitation are the easiest words for the philanthropists to pronounce. Solve this practical problem, if you are worthy of the trust of the gays. If the societal leaders and family members are unable to appreciate the complexity of the issue they should not create mental hurdles for the gays. Homosexuality is the fact of life. Accept it, tolerate it, or reject it but it is desirable not to meddle unnecessarily with the gays. What the gay does is of his choice. He does not â€Å"infringe the rights of others.† There are many types of sex-related crimes and a gay is not an individual with criminal tendencies. One can get lots of information from newspaper rep orts, interviews and discussions in the electronic media, articles in the magazines, etc. about the abnormal behavior of the so-called normal individuals of the society. Where do you place the gays in comparison of such individuals who indulge in heinous sex-related criminal activities? Gays choose the option available to them, and by no consideration it is mean, they are just