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18/09/2013, 15:31

NormanH

Joined on 10/04/2008
Posts 10,308

De l'esbroufe

This expression was new to me when one of my friends used it today about the new (and ugly) bus stop just installed opposite the Mairie
http://www.midilibre.fr/2013/09/18/un-abribus-surprenant-sur-la-place-du-forum,758648.php

Apparently the expression implies something like 'humbug' 'bluff', a loud way of distracting people...

The fact that an opinion has been widely held is no evidence whatever that it is not utterly absurd; indeed in view of the silliness of the majority of mankind, a widespread belief is more likely to be foolish than sensible.
- Bertrand Russell

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18/09/2013, 16:03

5-element

Joined on 28/10/2006
Languedoc
Posts 2,357

Re: De l'esbroufe

Norman, it reminds me of the expression "tape-à-l'oeil", (bling-bling) - something destined to impress and show off.

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18/09/2013, 16:38

Chancer

Joined on 16/07/2006
Picardie, Sussex
Posts 11,525

Re: De l'esbroufe

I thought that tape a l'oeil was used to describe a looker, stunner etc, not bling bling.

Bling bling now exists in the French language thanks to the ex president!!

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18/09/2013, 19:25

NormanH

Joined on 10/04/2008
Posts 10,308

Re: De l'esbroufe

What we might call 'all show'...or more vulgarly 'all fur coat and no knickers' Big Smile [:D]

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18/09/2013, 22:19

suein56

Joined on 23/08/2004
Southern Morbihan (56)
Posts 4,178

Re: De l'esbroufe

NormanH wrote:
... about the new (and ugly) bus stop just installed opposite the Mairie

The new bus shelter is certainly going to take some getting used to, surrounded as it is by established, well-proportioned buildings.
The shelter looks as though it is leaning forward, almost ready to fall apart. Is that called built-in obsolescence ?

Sue

Computing - it's another world

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19/09/2013, 8:56

NormanH

Joined on 10/04/2008
Posts 10,308

Re: De l'esbroufe

I fear it is a symbol of the present state of the town.....

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19/09/2013, 9:42

Judith

Joined on 01/02/2006
Posts 2,435

Re: De l'esbroufe

NormanH wrote:
I fear it is a symbol of the present state of the town.....

That might, unfortunately be true. I've never really liked Beziers .... always seems a bit seedy and down at heel, even around the hotel de ville where some of the buildiings are quite elegant, I do agree.

As for the structure itself, it looks like the next strong wind will blow it down. By no stretch of the imagination can it be called an elegant solution, and we've all seen plenty of elegant bus shelters in France. I wonder how long before it gets the inevitable graffiti, which at least would make it look a bit better and brighter!!

Judith
ex W1, via 47 and 11 and now [just] in 34, equidistant from Carcassonne, Narbonne and Béziers, where I hope we'll finally stay!!

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