French kiss gets a French word

FRANCE at last has an official word for French kissing – it is galocher and it has just been added to the Petit Robert dictionary’s new words for 2014.

Meaning to “kiss with tongues” and coming from the word for an ice-skating boot ... with tongues sliding around like skates on ice.

The word has been in colloquial use for many years but had not, until now, been given official recognition with an entry into the dictionary. Its new meaning is still not, however, in the Académie Française official dictionary of the language.

Etymologists say that “French kiss” was used by British and American troops after they returned from the First World War.

It joins other word that the Petit Robert has anointed as new entries in the language, such as: Triple A, désert medical, exil fiscal, low-cost, mariage pour tous, marriage homosexual, premier flic de France, boson de Higgs, électro, street art ... plus dim sum and satay.