Talk:Cajuns/Archives/2018

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Coup de main

I am unhappy with the rendition of 'coup de main' as 'helping hand'. I understand 'coup de main' as a blow with a fist. The phrase is used in (English) military discourse to refer to a swift and forceful assault, hopefully unexpected. The French for 'fist' is 'poing', but I think 'coup de poing' is not idiomatic.

I am not Cajun, nor am I a native French speaker. MrDemeanour (talk) 17:11, 12 October 2018 (UTC)

You are correct that 'coup' means to blow, strike, or hit. This meaning carries over to Cajun French. However, coup de main doesn't have this meaning. This is the definition from the Dicionary of Louisiana French: "•coup de main - a assistance, help, helping hand" It then contains the example sentence: "Tu peux me donner un coup de main demain? Can you give me a hand tomorrow?"

Valdman, Albert; Rottet, Kevin J.. Dictionary of Louisiana French: As Spoken in Cajun, Creole, and American Indian Communities (p. 162). University Press of Mississippi. Kindle Edition. "

Michael miceli (talk) 02:43, 13 October 2018 (UTC)

Your clarification is much appreciated - thanks. MrDemeanour (talk) 08:26, 13 October 2018 (UTC)