-
Learning French: what is the meaning of j’avoue and when should it be used?
A French language tic which can indicate you are actively listening to and agree with what is being said
-
Beware ‘false friends’ but take heart - the French struggle with them too
Columnist Nick Inman recounts the struggles of his Francophone colleague with English
-
Why bon is always a good word to use in France
Columnist Nick Inman notes the many polite ways people wish you well for all activities
‘Usine à gaz’: this French phrase describes a big, complicated system
Yes, it means a gas plant, but we look at why it can also express something incomprehensible
Une usine à gaz can be translated as a complicated way of working or a labyrinthine system.
Read more: ‘Casse-tête’: this French phrase is a conundrum or head-scratcher
Translated literally, une usine à gaz means a gas plant or factory.
This expression dates to the French industrial revolution in the 19th century.
During this period in France, gas factories started being built in industrial zones.
Typically they were composed of complicated systems of pipelines and crank handles that were incredibly difficult to understand.
You can imagine a maze of pipes twisting and turning.
Hence the use of une usine à gaz to describe any incomprehensible system.
More specifically, it can be used to criticise a system that is big, expensive and complicated, but ultimately does not serve much purpose.
Related articles
‘Montrer patte blanche’: French fairytale phrase for trustworthiness
‘J’en ai marre’: if you are fed up of something use this French phrase
How to access French language lessons for fun or a CEFR certificate