Learning French: why être habillé pour l'hiver does not usually relate to clothes
There is a figurative meaning behind this phrase that literally describes wrapping up for cold weather
This frosty saying can refer to someone who receives a series of malicious insults or criticisms
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France’s current cold spell has people wrapping up in coats, hats and scarves to get dressed for winter.
However, être habillé pour l'hiver, is also an informal French expression that describes being criticised or insulted.
We look at the origins behind this icy metaphor and how you can slide it into your casual conversations this season.
Read also: France's Record Cold Temperatures: Jura's -33.9C and Paris' Speed Limit Cuts
What does être habillé pour l'hiver mean?
It literally translates as, to be dressed for the winter, but when used in a figurative sense it actually refers to the idea of receiving several criticisms or unkind words.
This expression is also often heard as, être rhabillé pour l'hiver (to get dressed for winter again).
Interestingly, it can even be transformed to habiller pour l’hiver, to describe the act of talking badly about someone else.
The following English synonyms can be altered in a similar way:
To be given/to give an earful
To be given/to give a roasting
To be given/to give a slap in the face
Read also: Duck cold! French phrases to use for chilly weather
What are the origins of être habillé pour l'hiver?
This metaphor is thought to come from the mid-18th Century. It stems from the image of wearing layers of warm clothes as protection from chilling words.
The image could also be reversed to depict a person being suffocated with slander like being wrapped up in winter clothing.
The word habiller comes from the 12th-Century term, abiller, meaning to strip bark from a tree or to prepare a log of wood.
The definition of abiller continued to evolve as the years passed, adopting several slightly different meanings: to get ready, to equip, to garnish, to care for.
In the 15th Century, the letter ‘h’ was added to create habiller, likely due to the connection with the popular term habit (an item of clothing).
Habillé pour l'hiver gradually came into use combining the idea of putting on clothes with the image of being criticised in a chilling or frosty fashion.
When do you say être habillé pour l'hiver?
You can say this to describe someone who receives a series of insults:
You can flip this scenario to emphasise the person doing the criticising:
Remember that this phrase can also be used literally, meaning to wear warm clothes in cold weather:
To whom do you say être habillé pour l'hiver?
It is informal, figurative language that can be used with friends and family.
It mainly appears in spoken French but can also be written down, although we hope that you do not find yourself in a position to use this phrase on a regular basis.
Read also: 4 tips to stay safe and check icy roads in real-time in France
