bouillon!

Does anyone have any ideas how to translate bouillon when it is used to refer to some kind of cafe/eating place, perhaps in a slang way, (in 19th C Paris). It needs to be something referring to a slightly cheap place to eat, maybe almost like a greay spoon cafe, but not so modern.... Bit of a tall order but if anyone has any ideas that will be great!!

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

EducatorPermalink Reply by stu harris on March 2, 2011 at 4:57pm

Wikipedia defines it as "un type de restaurant populaire."

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bouillon

I must say it's a new one on me.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ed la mouette on March 2, 2011 at 6:34pm

Well, i am french, but it it is completely new for me too ! :D

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Neil Coffey on March 2, 2011 at 5:23pm

From the description you give, I suppose you could call it a "broth house". I don't recall seeing the term used in this way either, I must admit.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Clare H on March 2, 2011 at 9:39pm

Thanks Stu, Ed and Neil for your replies... yes it's completely new to me, and the novel it comes from is pretty obscure really (Les Lauriers sont coupes by Dujardin, 1888 in case anyone's dying to read it!) si it may just be him using it this way... broth house is a good idea, might try that. Thanks!

▶ Reply

EducatorPermalink Reply by stu harris on March 2, 2011 at 9:44pm

I polled my IRC channel, almost entirely under age 30, and nobody had heard of it.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Clare H on March 3, 2011 at 12:13am

yes, I guess it's really specific to 19 century - or to the writer himself... am still a bit stumped really... thanks for the research! I have a class tomorrow, will see what other people come up with!