Learning French: the origins and meaning of ça me fait une belle jambe
A sarcastic saying to suggest something is unimportant or irrelevant
Why do French people describe having une belle jambe when referring to something pointless?
Nomad_Soul/Shutterstock
Ah, ça me fait une belle jambe !
If you have ever heard this expression used in casual French discussion, you may have been confused as to why the conversation suddenly jumped to complimenting someone's leg.
The figurative meaning behind this saying is completely unrelated to beautiful limbs and is actually used to imply something is completely 'typical' or irrelevant.
We look at how and when to use this peculiar phrase and explore the fashion-related origins behind it.
What does ça me fait une belle jambe mean?
It literally translates as: that gets me a nice leg.
This expression is usually said with a sarcastic tone of voice and a roll of the eyes to imply that something is pointless, unimportant or irrelevant. It suggests that you do not care about what you have been told.
It is used in a similar way to English phrases such as: a fat lot of good that does me, good to know, or so what ?
Synonyms include:
Read also: Learning French: what does c'est pas la peine mean and when should it be used?
What are the origins of ça me fait une belle jambe?
Different sources trace this expression back to the 16th or 17th Century, however several variations have evolved over time:
ça ne lui rendra pas la jambe bien faite
ça ne lui fera pas la jambe plus belle
ça me fait bien la jambe
ça me fait la belle jambe
The phrase was originally linked to men’s fashion, when robes were swapped for tight-fitting leggings or pantaloons known as chausses, and displaying your legs became a way of showing off your beauty and grace.
As styles moved in and out of fashion, having beautiful legs became less important and so the belle jambe expression adopted a more ironic sense.
Today, it is used to imply that something is useless, irrelevant or uninteresting.
Read also: Learning French: when and why do we say enfoncer une porte ouverte?
When do you say ça me fait une belle jambe?
This expression is usually said as a sarcastic reaction to a piece of pointless or irrelevant information:
Les moins de 25 ans ont accès aux transports gratuits, mais je viens d'avoir 26 ans. Voilà qui me fait une belle jambe. - Under 25s get access to free transport, but I just turned 26. What a big help that is.
Say this to imply that you do not care about something:
Read also: Learning French: what does que dalle mean and when should it be used?
To whom do you say ça me fait une belle jambe?
It is informal, colloquial language that can be used with friends and family in a sarcastic or joking manner.
You should avoid using it in formal situations or with people you do not know as it could cause offense or come across as rude.
More neutral sayings include:
Read also: 'C'est pas rien': Why nothing is a powerful word in French
If you would like us to explain a particular word or expression, or if you have any other Learning French suggestions, let us know at: feedback@connexionfrance.com
