Learning French: when and why do we say être habillé comme l'as de pique?
An expression to insult someone’s fashion choices
This French saying is similar to describing someone as being dressed like a scarecrow
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Oulala, il est habillé comme l'as de pique.
If the French dislike something you are wearing, they might describe you as being dressed like the ace of spades.
We look at the 17th-Century origins behind this informal and slightly mocking phrase.
What does être habillé comme l'as de pique mean?
This informal idiom literally translates as: to be dressed like the ace of spades.
A more appropriate translation, however, is to be dressed like a scarecrow, or to look like something the cat dragged in.
It refers to someone who is disheveled and looks as if they got dressed in the dark, having made uncoordinated fashion choices.
Variations of this expression include:
Read also: Learning French: why être habillé pour l'hiver is rarely about your clothes
What are the origins of être habillé comme l'as de pique?
Un as de pique is the term used to refer to the ace of spades from a deck of playing cards.
In tarot readings, the ace of spades is generally associated with bad omens. It symbolises unpleasant news, difficulties to overcome and flipped fortune.
In 17th-Century argot (slang), l’as de pique was used to refer to the anus and this term has since developed to describe someone who is deemed unintelligent, unattractive, unsophisticated or rude.
The original expression was avoir l’air de l’as de pique and it was used to describe someone with a bad haircut. This stemmed from a comparison between scruffy hair and half-plucked chicken rumps.
Today, the phrase more commonly applies to criticisms of someone’s fashion sense. The initial expression faded away and other verbs (fagoter, habiller, vêtir) took place.
Read also: Se serrer la ceinture: Our French expression of the week
When do you say être habillé comme l'as de pique?
This phrase is used to judge someone’s untidy fashion sense:
Elle se lève toujours très tard et arrive donc au travail habillée comme l'as de pique. - She always wakes up late and so she comes to work dressed like something the cat dragged in.
Va te changer. Tu n'iras pas à l'église habillé comme l'as de pique. - Get changed. You are not going to church dressed like a sack of potatoes.
Ma mère dit que je m'habille comme l'as de pique, mais elle ne se rend pas compte que c'est à la mode. - My mother says I dress like a scarecrow, but she doesn't realise it is fashionable.
Read also: Learning French: être dans le vent and other wind expressions
To whom do you say être habillé comme l'as de pique?
It is informal language and can be used with friends and family.
You should avoid using it in formal situations as it could come across as unprofessional or rude.
This saying will cause offence if used insensitively.
