Falling off of the bone in French ?

[nwyles]

Does anyone know what this term might be.

Is there a translation ?

Thank you

[Carrot Top]

Sorry to say I do not....but I do have to say that I would beware of ANY translation of that particular term...that would be given to you by a Frenchman.

This is said with good humor and with the knowledge gained from living in Paris for a while with an intermediate knowledge of the language.

PLEASE double-check any translation given....with a dictionary....

[jackal10]

I thought it was something to do with "to be able to cut with a spoon" ( cuiller)

[markk]

I don't know... yet.

Having been burned too many times (way too many) by using expressions in such books as "101 French Idioms" - using French expressions in conversation in French that I learned from such books and having French people stare blankly at me and basically ask "what the devil are you talking about?" - I've learned that they're useless because theyre basically making them up.

What I have learned is that the books you buy in France for French people to translate their own expressions and idioms into English equivalents are good because they're actually starting with actual French expressions. But, they're never indexed in such a way that you can find the English outcome.

I looked for a while in the likely places and found nothing. However, I've e-mailed some culinary friends in France, and if and when I get an answer, I'll post it!

[nice_guy1812]

Having been burned too many times (way too many) by using expressions in such books as "101 French Idioms" - using French expressions in conversation in French that I learned from such books and having French people stare blankly at me and basically ask "what the devil are you talking about?" - I've learned that they're useless because theyre basically making them up.

What I have learned is that the books you buy in France for French people to translate their own expressions and idioms into English equivalents are good because they're actually starting with actual French expressions. But, they're never indexed in such a way that you can find the English outcome.

A bit off-topic, but thanx for that bit of advice. I plan to move to Paris in about 2 years when I'm done school, so I've been trying to improve my French through books (I have a good knowledge of the grammar but my vocabulary needs much improvement). I've often almost bought a number of books with French expressions, but now I think I'll pass.

[markk]

Does anyone know what this term might be.

Is there a translation ?

Thank you

I did indeed write to a French friend who also speaks fluent English and who is heavily into food - I posed the question of an expression that would cover the description of spare ribs (or any meat with a bone) cooked to such a degree of tendernesss that when you tapped it against the plate, the meat fell right off. I reminded him that we'd use the expression "falling off the bone" and asked if the French had any idiom for describing meat that tender, with or without reference to falling off a bone or eating with a spoon... and he answered me....

"très tendre"

Sorry if this isn't the answer you were looking for.

[jackal10]

Knew I had seen it somewhere. a la cuiller

Found the reference: Elizabeth David, in French Provincial Cooking, in her recipe for Boeuf a la Mode (cold beef in jelly) says " It should in fact be tender enough to cut with a spoon, hence the alternative name of boeuf a la cuiller.

Lady finger biscuits are called Biscuit a la cuiller

However my big french dictionary doesn't give either usage.

Edited August 15, 2004 by jackal10 (log)

[BettyK]

I'd say "la viande se détache facilement de l'os". That's all.

[mart242]

I'd say "la viande se détache facilement de l'os". That's all.

Yup, I'd go with that too.

[bleudauvergne]

I'd say "la viande se détache facilement de l'os". That's all.

Yup, I'd go with that too.

I agree -