Provençal expression

aquèu a fouaço nàrro

Character

Literal translation

that one has a lot of nose

Meaning

that one is proud, full of himself

Explanation

This expression describes someone very proud, even arrogant, through an image centred on the nose, an organ traditionally tied to pride in many languages, Provençal and French alike, where lifting one's nose or having nose carry similar connotations. Nàrro means nostril or snout, and by extension a fault or blunder ; here the anatomical sense dominates, the raised nose signalling a haughty attitude. Fouaço, close to forço (a lot, in quantity), is not attested under this exact spelling in our sources, but its sense of abundance fits the expression's meaning : to have fouaço nàrro is to have a lot of nose, in other words to give oneself great importance. The image joins the near-universal one of the raised nose used to look down on others. The register is familiar, used to mock, with a touch of irritation, a conceited person who displays their self-satisfaction almost physically, in their very bearing.

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Other expressions on the same theme

A coumo la fusto de Cabassoit's an absurd, unsolvable problem À Gounfaroun, leis ai volonI don't believe a word of it, mere hot air À La Ciéutat/à Carpentras, aimon miés tout que la mitain La Ciotat as in Carpentras, they'd rather have it all than half À la descèndo lei cougourdo li vananyone, even the dullest, can manage an easy task Agué d'uei bourda d'anchoioto have eyes red-rimmed from tears or fatigue Agué de sang de cougourdoto be weak-willed, spineless