Literal translation
to have squash blood
Meaning
to be weak-willed, spineless
Explanation
The phrase plays on the word cougourdo, which means squash or gourd and, by extension, a fool or a spineless person. Saying someone has squash blood suggests their constitution lacks firmness, as though a bland, weak liquid ran through their veins in place of real blood. It describes someone soft-natured, unable to react with vigor, or physically listless and drained of energy. The register is familiar and mildly mocking, suited to everyday speech. The image draws its force from the contrast between blood, a symbol of vitality and temper, and the watery flesh of a squash, which offers no resistance at all. The word cougourdo also feeds several other Provençal expressions about weakness of character, showing how productive this image of the gourd remains in describing a lack of backbone or spirit.