French Expression of the Day: Une chance de cocu
If you needed any more proof the French language is full of traps and absurd expressions, 'une chance de cocu' is here to do just that.
Why do I need to know avoir une chance de cocu?
It may come in handy next time you are losing to a game of cards. Most importantly, if you happen to have une chance de cocu lately, French logic would want you to do some thinking about the state of your relationship.
What does it mean?
Avoir une chance de cocu means being extremely lucky. Literally, the expression translates to being as lucky as a cuckold.
While seemingly paradoxical, the idea conveyed by this saying is quite simple: if you are unlucky enough to be cheated on, you cannot possibly be followed by misfortune in everything you do. The luck basically makes up for the betrayal endured by the cuckold.
So it's quite similar to Heureux au jeu, malheureux en amour - Lucky at cards, unlucky in love which is used in both French and English.
How do I use it?
Traditionally, the expression used to refer to men being cheated on only, but ended up including women as well.
The only thing that changes is the spelling of the word cocu, which will take an 'e' when talking about a woman, une cocue.
Il a gagné €1000 au casino hier. Il a vraiment une chance de cocu! - He won €1,000 at the casino yesterday. He really is as lucky as a cuckold!
However, une chance de cocu is not exclusively dedicated to gambling and card games, as the saying can also be used in everyday life.
Son téléphone est tombé du premier étage et fonctionne encore. Une chance de cocue, je te dis! - Her phone fell from the first floor and is still working. As lucky as a cuckold, I'm telling you!
For more French Expressions and French Words of the Day, you can click here to see our full list
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Why do I need to know avoir une chance de cocu?
It may come in handy next time you are losing to a game of cards. Most importantly, if you happen to have une chance de cocu lately, French logic would want you to do some thinking about the state of your relationship.
What does it mean?
Avoir une chance de cocu means being extremely lucky. Literally, the expression translates to being as lucky as a cuckold.
While seemingly paradoxical, the idea conveyed by this saying is quite simple: if you are unlucky enough to be cheated on, you cannot possibly be followed by misfortune in everything you do. The luck basically makes up for the betrayal endured by the cuckold.
So it's quite similar to Heureux au jeu, malheureux en amour - Lucky at cards, unlucky in love which is used in both French and English.
How do I use it?
Traditionally, the expression used to refer to men being cheated on only, but ended up including women as well.
The only thing that changes is the spelling of the word cocu, which will take an 'e' when talking about a woman, une cocue.
Il a gagné €1000 au casino hier. Il a vraiment une chance de cocu! - He won €1,000 at the casino yesterday. He really is as lucky as a cuckold!
However, une chance de cocu is not exclusively dedicated to gambling and card games, as the saying can also be used in everyday life.
Son téléphone est tombé du premier étage et fonctionne encore. Une chance de cocue, je te dis! - Her phone fell from the first floor and is still working. As lucky as a cuckold, I'm telling you!
For more French Expressions and French Words of the Day, you can click here to see our full list
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