Provençal expression

Sèmblo un Caramentran

Character

Literal translation

he looks like Caramentran

Meaning

to be dressed like a scarecrow

Explanation

Caramentran is the effigy traditionally burned at the Provençal Carnival, after being dragged through the streets and publicly blamed for all the world's misfortunes. His name comes from "Carême entrant", the start of Lent. He is naturally dressed in old, mismatched, worn-out clothes, hence the image for someone very badly dressed. The custom, still alive in many rural villages, left behind a sad song sung at the burning: "adieu pauvre Carmentran". The expression is mocking but carries compassion. Variants: carmentran, calamentran.

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