C'est pas le pingouin qui glisse le plus loin sur la banquise: Fun French expression no. 6

Some of the best French expressions conjure up lovely images - and this is true of the sixth entry in our series of fun French expressions.

C'est pas le pingouin qui glisse le plus loin sur la banquise

Literal translation: Not the penguin who slides the furthest on the ice 

This expression is commonly used in Quebec. If someone is described as the penguin that does not slide the furthest on the ice, it means that they are not very smart. 

You may notice the absence of the negation 'n' as technically it should be 'ce n'est pas'. However, as an expression that is spoken orally, the 'n' is dropped like it is in many similar expressions.    

An English equivalent is ‘not the sharpest tool in the shed’ and in mainland France, you would be more likely to hear ‘Ce n’est pas le couteau le plus aiguisé du tiroir’ (sharpest knife in the drawer) or ‘Ce n'est pas l'outil le plus affûté de l'atelier’ (sharpest tool in the shed). 

You may also hear Il n’a pas inventé le fil à couper le beurre to describe someone who is not overly smart, which means ‘he did not invent the wire to cut butter’. 

Read more: Avoir le temps de tuer un âne à coup de figues molles: Fun French expression no. 2

Read more: Péter dans la soie: Fun French expression no. 3

Do you have a favourite amusing French expression? Share it with us at feedback@connexionfrance.com