French Expression of the Day: Charger la mule
"Charger la mule" is a useful French expression when it comes to exaggerating.
Why do I need to know charger la mule?
It’s a handy French metaphor to describe someone who’s prone to exaggeration; who lays it on thick…
What does it mean?
charger la mule - pronounced shar-jhay la mewl - translates as load the mule.
It’s a 20th-century adaptation of the 18th-century phrase chargé comme une mule (loaded like a mule), and expresses the idea of exaggeration, just as one could - back in the 1700s - overload even a beast of burden.
It can also be used to describe having a bit too much to drink, or - in sports, notably cycling - illegal doping of athletes.
Use it like this
Faut pas charger la mule - don’t exaggerate.
Tant qu'à charger la mule, autant le faire à fond ? - if you’re going to exaggerate why not go all the way?
Je pense que vous chargez la mule - I think you’re exaggerating.
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Why do I need to know charger la mule?
It’s a handy French metaphor to describe someone who’s prone to exaggeration; who lays it on thick…
What does it mean?
charger la mule - pronounced shar-jhay la mewl - translates as load the mule.
It’s a 20th-century adaptation of the 18th-century phrase chargé comme une mule (loaded like a mule), and expresses the idea of exaggeration, just as one could - back in the 1700s - overload even a beast of burden.
It can also be used to describe having a bit too much to drink, or - in sports, notably cycling - illegal doping of athletes.
Use it like this
Faut pas charger la mule - don’t exaggerate.
Tant qu'à charger la mule, autant le faire à fond ? - if you’re going to exaggerate why not go all the way?
Je pense que vous chargez la mule - I think you’re exaggerating.
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