Learning French: the origins and meaning of c'est le pompon (sur la Garonne)
An amusing expression for when you have reached your limit
Find out about a phrase that stems from pompom-topped sailor's caps with a variation that is linked to Toulouse
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Do you ever feel as though the odds are against you and things just keep going from bad to worse?
In France, you might feel like screaming: c’est le pompon.
We look at the sailing origins of this pompom phrase and explore how Napoléon III’s visit to Toulouse in 1868 sparked a surprising regional variation.
What does c'est le pompon mean?
It literally translates as: it is the pompom.
This expression is actually used when something negative tips you over the edge, as if to say: I have had enough, I am at my limit, that is the last straw.
Similar phrases in French include:
Another pompon saying is: décrocher le pompon. It refers to the idea of hitting the jackpot.
Read also: 7 French phrases that sound bizarre when translated
What are the origins of c'est le pompon?
This expression dates back to the 19th century, referring to the uniform berets of sailors in the French Navy. Many wartime sailors top their cap (known as un bachi) with a pompom, which for French marines is often red.
Describing something as being le pompon therefore became synonymous with reaching the very limit (right up to the tip of your hat) or pushing someone over the edge.
A fun variation of this expression is: c’est le pompon sur la Garonne (the river that runs through Toulouse).
Napoléon III visited Toulouse in 1868 to inaugurate a bridge over the Garonne. A gust of wind reportedly blew the pompom from his hat and into the river below.
Exclamations rose from the crowd and the expression stuck as a local adaptation of the classic, c’est le pompon.
When do you say c'est le pompon?
Use this exclamation when something tips you over the edge:
You can also say it as a standalone reaction to a negative act that pushes you to the limit:
Statement: Madame, vous avez un pneu crevé. - Madam, you have a flat tyre.
Response: C’est le pompon ! - That is the last straw!
Read also: Learning French: the origins and meaning of se lever du pied gauche
To whom do you say c'est le pompon?
It is casual colloquial language and can be used with friends and family. It should be avoided in very formal situations.
You will mainly hear this in spoken French rather than seeing it written down.
Read also: Learning French: what does tiré par les cheveux mean and when should it be used?
