French Language Cops Go After English Slang

'Le buzz' might be 'le ramdam,' among others
By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 31, 2010 1:21 PM CDT
French Language Cops Go After English Slang
MC Solaar was a judge.   (AP Photo)

A French panel has made its decision on a handful of English-based buzzwords it hopes to replace. Begone “le buzz” for Internet rumors; enter “le ramdam.” The winners, suggested by students, will be forwarded to the 18—18!—government committees that guard the language. If the new words pass muster, the government will order public servants to use them in hopes they'll catch on.

Other possibilities: Tuning up hot rods would go from "le tuning” to “le bolidage,” based on French slang for souped-up cars. "Newsletter" would be "infolettre," and "chat" would be "éblabla" or "tchatche." Maybe these will fare better than past attempts at de-Anglicization, like the poorly received replacement for “les air bags”—“les sacs gonflables.” (More France stories.)

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