Poubelle, Bottin, Jacuzzi... l'histoire étonnante de 101 noms proprement communs! by Frédérick Gersal

Abstract

Reviewed by: Poubelle, Bottin, Jacuzzi... l'histoire étonnante de 101 noms proprement communs! by Frédérick Gersal Samira Hassa Gersal, Frédérick. Poubelle, Bottin, Jacuzzi... l'histoire étonnante de 101 noms proprement communs! L'Opportun, 2018. ISBN 978-2-36075-548-6. Pp. 223. This is by no means an academic book. It is intended for general readers who have an interest in words and their origin and as such it may be useful for French teachers. [End Page 234] Gersal is a French television and radio journalist who specializes in history and French culture. His goal, he says, is to share his passion for words and the stories behind their meaning. The book provides an approximately two-page history of 101 alphabetized words, originally people's names, that have entered into daily usage, such as poubelle, after Eugène Poubelle, prefect who in 1884 ordered Parisian landlords to provide garbage bins for tenants, and of course sandwich, after the Earl of Sandwich. The words are chosen for the interesting history behind them, not to cover each letter of the alphabet. Included are personal names like Isabelle and Kamel and names of cities like Cordoue and Damas. Some further examples will convey the level of interest of the book for students. Readers learn that denim fabric for blue jeans was made in Gênes (Genoa), Italy, and brought to America by a certain Levis Strauss, and that the same city gave birth to the famous génoise sponge cake. Words like argus and atlas are linked to Greek mythology, while béchamel sauce was created by Monsieur Béchamel, born in Rouen in 1630. Bluetooth is more than wireless technology: the name comes from Danish king Harald Bluetooth (910–986), known for unifying his country. Chantilly whipped cream draws its name from the chateau in Chantilly, where chef François Vatel chose to end his life rather than suffer dishonor when an order of fish failed to be delivered. Viennoiserie pastry comes from Vienna, of course, birthplace of the croissant, which was imported by Marie-Antoinette of Austria when she married Louis XVI. Gersal's simple, lighthearted style aims to entertain, with numerous puns and jokes. His entry for tupperware begins, "Mais non, ce n'est pas pour vous mettre en boîte" (205). The book's accessibility and personal tone bring linguistics into public awareness. The selection of words is somewhat random and the book lacks any chronological, thematic, or other organization, but it could be a fun read for students, allowing them to see the connection between names, history, and culture in an enjoyable nonacademic format. Samira Hassa Manhattan College, New York Copyright © 2019 American Association of Teachers of French