Learning French
The origins and meaning of passer du coq à l'âne
It literally translates as: to pass from the rooster to the donkey
Say this phrase when someone finds it difficult to stick to one topic of conversation
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We look at when and why French speakers refer to farmyard animals when suggesting someone has gone off on a tangent.
What does passer du coq à l'âne mean?
It literally translates as: to pass from the rooster to the donkey.
While you might expect this saying to be strictly related to the barnyard, it actually describes the idea of speaking without following a clear line of discussion - instead switching between different topics of conversation.
It is similar to the English phrase: to jump from pillar to post, or to go off on a tangent.
In this expression, the verb passer (to pass/to go) can also be replaced with sauter (to jump).
What are the origins of passer du coq à l'âne?
This saying can be traced back to the 14th Century, when it was originally: saillir du coq à l'asne.
Saillir can be defined as ‘to mate’ and the Old French word asne, meant ‘female duck.’
This image stemmed from the idea that roosters sometimes attempt to mate with ducks.
Asne gradually fell out of use and was replaced by the similarly-sounding âne, while saillir was replaced with the slang and slightly vulgar synonym sauter. This then evolved to feature the more neutral verb: passer.
When do you say passer du coq à l'âne?
Say this when someone suddenly switches from one subject to another without transition or logical connection.
Tu disais que tu voulais aller chez le coiffeur et maintenant tu me parles de choux de Bruxelles. Arrête de passer du coq à l'âne! - You said you wanted to go to the salon and now you are talking about Brussel sprouts. Stop going off on a tangent.
Ma petite sœur passe toujours du coq à l'âne. C’est très difficile de suivre ce qu'elle dit. - My little sister is always jumping from one random thought to another. It is very difficult to follow what she is saying.
To whom do you say passer du coq à l'âne?
It is casual, colloquial language that can be used with friends and family.
You should avoid using this saying in a professional context as it could come across as being a bit informal.
More neutral phrases include:
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