Oct 7, 2011

Apéritif

n. - cocktails
It only just struck me as strange that while the word for cocktails is apéritif, the nickname, or what it most commonly goes by is apéro. Why not ap
éri? And come to think of it, cocktails may be stretching the translation because the French aren't really known for their bar-tending skills like the Americans or even the British are. Drinks are more delicate tinctures of a wine based nature. Scotch can be readily found, but you will get a strange look if you order a vodka and don't get me started again on martinis since I already covered that in another post. They simply do not exist.
I do like that the French toast with "santé" or to your health and the way they drink really is quite healthy.

On a completely separate note, someone recently pointed out the difference between the word parapluie and parasol. I always knew that parapluie was an umbrella, but I didn’t make the distinction between the fact that it was literally to protect from the rain (pluie) while a parasol, was to protect from the sun (soleil).

One thing you are sure never to find in Paris, however, would be an umbrella IN your cocktail. Santé!

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