1) To put water in one's wine ("Mettre de l'eau dans son vin")
This phrase was coined in the XV century, and used to mean "containing one's anger".
Example: "This is regrettable to me, but in a compromise, you sometimes need to add water to the wine."
Nowadays, it is more associated with the idea that one should review his ambitions downwards.
2) Songs! "Chevaliers de la table ronde, goutons voir, si le vin est bon!"
This knightly song, extremely popular in France and French-speaking countries, reminds us of the pleasure of drinking wine, in a more "manly" world
And the corresponding lyrics, in English
Knights of the Round Table,
Taste and see if the wine is good;
Taste and view, yes, yes, yes,
See and taste, no, no, no,
Taste and see if the wine is good.
If it is good, if it is nice,
I shall drink as long as I please;
I shall drink, yes, yes, yes,
I shall drink, no, no, no,
I shall drink as long as I please.
I shall drink five or six bottles,
With a woman on my lap;
A woman, yes, yes, yes,
A woman, no, no, no,
With a woman on my lap.
If I die, I want to be buried
In a cellar where the wine is good;
In a cellar, yes, yes, yes ...
Both feet against the wall
And the head under the tap;
And the head, yes, yes, yes ...
On my grave, I want to be recorded
"Here lies the king of drinkers";
Here lies, yes, yes, yes ...
3) Wine, cheese and bread, make a good feast. ("Du vin, du fromage et du pain, font un bon menage")
This expression clearly gives the basics of French culinary culture! Here is even an old and famous advertisement for a French cheese brand Boursin:
4) Glass plain, I empty you; Empty glass, I complain ("Verre plein, je te vide; verre vide, je te plains")
Usually said at the table about someone who is waiting to be served more wine, after finishing his glass!
5) When I've emptied a bottle, I feel like another man.
And this other man also has the right to drink. ("Quand j'ai vide une bouteille, je me sens un autre homme. Et cet autre homme a droit aussi a boire.")
6) Why do we say in France: "Married or hanged in the year"? ("Marie ou pendu dans l'annee!")
Every time you are at a dinner table in France with friends or family, the one serving the bottle of wine will say to the person he served the last drip to: "Marie dans l'annee!", meaning "You will get married this year!"
But the full phrase is "Married or hanged this year". It is a simple French expression in its meaning but complicated as to its origins. Some say the former hanging was much reference to the notion of luck since the remains of convicts were supposed to have significant powers, such as the fat that was a powerful balm that heals diseases and bones moving away bad luck. Thus the hanged in question is considered a source of happiness and luck contributor. This means that the lucky person finishing a bottle cannot miss such a happy event.
