Heat me up
After two weeks of skiing in France, we took a cab to the station to catch our train. We had little time left before departure and the road was full of snow and very slippery, so I was very worried about whether we could make it. But we arrived in time and I wanted to compliment the driver on his ability to drive under these conditions, so I said Vous chauffez très bien! The driver smiled at me very curiously and afterwards my friends explained that I had told the driver that 'he heated me up very well!'
Editor's note: To compliment someone on their driving say Vous conduisez très bien, while le chauffeur is the French word for 'driver'.
Sent by: Christine
Comments
When cars were first invented the engine oil had to be heated before starting thus the chauffeur was the man who did the heating before setting off.
I'd agree with the editor here. One could also say Vous êtes un bon conducteur, you are a good driver.
Le chauffeur, driver, is apparently from the same linguistic root as chaud, heat. In the days of steam, chauffeur would have been translated as 'fireman'.
While a French au-pair in Northern Ireland, I was shown how to prepare the baby food. It wasn't clear to me if it could be given cold, so I asked "And then I eat it right?" I had forgotten to sound the H for Heat. The already anxious mum panicked "No, you don't eat it! It's for the baby! You can make yourself a sandwich!"
Flag this comment