My name is Pascal Tréguer, I am a French citizen. I graduated in French literature and linguistics from the University of Nantes and the Sorbonne. After teaching French as a foreign or second language in various countries (Ireland, Fiji, Tonga, New Caledonia, Romania, Britain) for most of my adult life, I am now living in Lancashire and devoting my time to uncovering the stories behind words and phrases. I am in particular trying to expose the falseness of many etymologies flourishing in books and on the Internet.
word histories 
Wonderful site! I just used it in a post* to Twitter! I love words, and sayings, and I love to know their etymologies. I too have been very frustrated by false, faked, stupid guesses at meaning recently. You are doing a wonderful service to language! Keep up the good work!
Re a new movie based on the 1958 book Mrs. ‘Arris Goes to Paris. My post quoting you and including your website::
Fell in love with the book as a teenager dreaming of beautiful clothes and Paris!
It’s unforgettable, beautifully written. I’ll see the movie! If you haven’t read the book, do!
*2001, 1st trip to Paris, no dress but
J’ai fait du lèche-vitrine chez Dior!
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Merci Pascal. Maintenant je comprends l’idée ” to have a chip on one’s shoulder…”. It didn’t make sense to me all these years until I read the history of this expression.
I’ve explained the expression: ” Il ira loin si les petits cochons ne le mangent pas.” to a friend yesterday and she found it quite …. strange.
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Thank you! Looking for history (unknown to date) of the idiom ‘eat crow’? Congrats on a much needed great website, great idea!
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