Why do I need to know bonnet d'âne?
Because it's an old expression with a rich backstory that teaches us important lessons about the traditions of the French education system.
What does it mean?
Bonnet d'âne means 'donkey’s hat', but it's actually a metaphor for someone being 'dumb', 'a fool', 'buffoon', 'idiot', 'loser', 'dunce' – either because they do something stupid, or because they are lagging behind others.
This French expression is an old one and quite similar to the old fashioned English expression 'wearing a dunce's hat'.
Porter le bonnet d'âne (to wear the donkey's hat) means being a fool, but it's also used as an direct insult: Quel bonnet d'âne ! – What an idiot!
If France is doing especially poorly in something compared to other countries, the country can said to both be un bonnet d'âne or wear le bonnet d'âne.
Bonnet d'âne pour le ministre de l'@education_gouv Nationale, @jmblanquer .#COVID19 #MontageAmor #Confinement https://t.co/2ZQe79rzxE pic.twitter.com/ExJWqAwz5d
— Amor LOUHICHI (@I_M_NOBODY27) January 31, 2021
Origins
But the expression stuck and wearing a donkey's hat today is commonly used for 'losers'.
Le bonnet d'âne pour Dodo et le trophée pour l'équipe de @manudansle69 ! #LeMag pic.twitter.com/EDpD8PLgcy
— NRJ 12 (@NRJ12lachaine) March 19, 2015
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