Rire jaune
Example: Il a ri jaune quand il a entendu la mauvaise nouvelle.
Definition
"Rire jaune" refers to a forced or insincere laugh, often expressing discomfort, embarrassment, or suppressed displeasure, rather than genuine amusement. It describes a laugh that masks true feelings, as in the sentence 'Il a ri jaune quand il a entendu la mauvaise nouvelle.'
Translations
-
To force a laugh -
Reír por compromiso -
Als een boer met kiespijn lachen -
Riure per compromís -
Gequält lachen
Etymology
The phrase "rire jaune" literally means "to laugh yellow" in French. Its origin is unclear, but it likely associates the color yellow with sickness or unpleasantness, suggesting a laugh that is not natural but tinged with discomfort or bitterness. Did you know that yellow has often been linked to jealousy or cowardice, which might explain the negative connotation in this expression?
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"Rire jaune" appears in the Vocaplus list "", containing 105 commonly used expressions.
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