Learning French: the origins and meaning of casser du sucre sur le dos
This sugary phrase will leave you with a bitter aftertaste
The expression involving sugar is used to describe someone who talks badly about others behind their back
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Do not be fooled by the sweetness of this phrase that actually describes a person who gossips about others without them knowing.
We look at how this informal expression has evolved since the 17th Century and why its origins could be traced back to broken sugarloaves.
What does casser du sucre sur le dos mean?
This phrase is often followed by de quelqu’un (of someone), meaning the full expression literally translates as: to break sugar on someone’s back.
It alludes to spreading gossip, criticising or talking badly about a person without them being present.
Similar expressions include:
Parler dans le dos de quelqu’un - To talk about someone behind their back
Médire sur quelqu’un - Being bitter about somebody
Raconter des ragots - To gossip
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What are the origins of casser du sucre sur le dos?
One theory surrounding the origins of this expression goes back to the 17th Century, when the verb sucrer (to sweeten) was also slang for: mistreating or making fun of someone.
By the late 19th century, 'casser du sucre' was a slang term referring to the idea of denouncing or exposing someone.
The idea of ‘breaking sugar’ therefore developed to refer to the act of gossiping.
This image stems from the fact that sugar used to be traded as refined, solid blocks, also known as sugarloves. These loaves then had to be cracked into smaller pieces for everyday use.
The verb casser (to break) reflects the notion of destroying either a person or thing - in this case, verbal destruction of someone’s reputation.
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It is thought that the phrase was once: casser du sucre sur la tête (to break sugar on someone’s head). However, this gradually transformed to le dos (the back) to illustrate the idea of gossiping while someone is turned away and therefore unaware.
The synonymous idiom, casser du bois sur le dos, is no longer used today but reinforces the image of breaking something solid.
When do you say casser du sucre sur le dos?
It is always used to refer to a person, so remember to specify who this person is when integrating this phrase into conversation.
You can use this idiom to describe someone who criticises or gossips about other people without them knowing:
Je ne lui fais pas confiance parce qu'elle casse toujours du sucre sur le dos des gens. - I do not trust her because she is always talking about people behind their back.
Le candidat était déterminé à casser du sucre sur le dos de son adversaire, plutôt que de se concentrer sur ses propres politiques de campagne. - The candidate was determined to badmouth his opponent rather than concentrate on his own campaign policies.
To whom do you say casser du sucre sur le dos?
It is an informal phrase that can be used with friends and family and should be avoided in formal situations.
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