Provençal expression

es vengu me dansa davans

Feelings

Literal translation

he came to dance in front of me

Meaning

he came on to me, made advances

Explanation

Through an image of physical display, the expression describes the behavior of someone approaching another person with a flurry of manners, gestures, and attitudes meant to charm or attract attention, as though performing a little courtship dance in front of the one they are trying to win over. Dancing here does not refer to an actual choreographed exercise but serves as a metaphor for the whole staging of seduction, the turns of phrase, compliments, and approach maneuvers that precede a declaration or a romantic advance. The verb veni (to come) followed by the infinitive dansa (to dance) and the preposition davans (in front of) forms a simple, vivid construction, typical of Provençal speech for describing a scene of courtship with a touch of mockery or amusement. The expression relates to the French idea of making advances or circling around someone, both resting on an image of movement and physical approach applied to seduction. The register is familiar and slightly mocking, used to recount, with some distance and amusement, someone's clumsy or persistent courting.

Browse all 432 Provençal expressions

Other expressions on the same theme

Agué crentoto feel shy or ashamed Agué la tressusour/lei tres susourto be scared stiff Aquelo empego !what a surprise! Bouano maire/mèro !an exclamation of surprise, anger, or impatience Caga ei braioto be scared, a coward D'uno óulivo au cuou, ti fa un litro d'òlihe's terrified, a real coward