Pétanque (French pronunciation: [petɑ̃k]) is a form of boules where the goal is, while standing inside a starting circle with both feet on the ground, to throw hollow metal balls as close as possible to a small wooden ball called a cochonnet (literally "piglet") or jack. It is also sometimes called a bouchon (literally "cork") or le petit ("the small one"). The game is normally played on hard dirt or gravel, but can also be played on grass, sand or other surfaces. Similar games are bocce and bowls.
The current form of the game originated in 1907 in La Ciotat, in Provence, in southern France. The English and French name pétanque comes from la petanca [peˈtaŋkɔ] in the Provençal dialect of the Occitan language, deriving from the expression pès tancats [ˈpɛ taŋˈka], meaning "feet together"[1] or more exactly "feet anchored".
It is also used by suave gentlemen in word challenges to casually put it into as many sentences in conversation as possible. Petanques very much!!
xox
Ah! I understand! So the next time I throw anything at anyone, I can just tell them it's Pétanque practice!
ReplyDeleteI also think "cochonnet" and "bouchon" sound like awesome french insults. (And you can never have too many of those!)
xx mm
(Oh and I love the new blog design. There are wonders like I've never seen! It's all grand...&c)
ReplyDeleteMerovingian: I love French wine, like I love the French language. I have sampled every language, French is my favorite. Fantastic language. Especially to curse with. Nom de dieu de putain de bordel de merde de saloperie de connard d'enculé de ta mère.
ReplyDeleteIt's like wiping your arse with silk. I love it.
Danke!!! xo
ReplyDelete