Literal translation
to be a nativity figure
Meaning
to be slow, sluggish
Explanation
The santon, from Provençal santoun, little saint, belongs to a living craft tradition tied to Christmas nativity scenes and the pastorale, a play sung in Provençal about the birth of Jesus. A santon, a motionless figurine, is by nature someone doing very little. People also say planté comme un santon, planted like a santon. To be santoun is thus to be slow, unresourceful, lacking initiative. In Marseille one also hears être santi belli, from Neapolitan santi belli, beautiful saints, borrowed through the port's Italian population and used only in this figurative sense, never for actual santons.