T'as pas inventé le fil à couper le beurre

Meaning: You're not exactly a genius — the wire to cut butter is about the most obvious tool imaginable.

Language: French

Literally: You didn't invent the wire to cut butter

Category: Insult

Origin: One of France's favourite gentle put-downs for someone who isn't the sharpest.

More compliments & insults — Insult

• Tête de mule — An impossibly stubborn person who refuses to change their mind no matter what.
• C'est une vraie chèvre — They're hopelessly stubborn and infuriating — a goat that refuses to be moved.
• Casse-pieds — A massive bore or pain in the neck — someone who wears you down with their irritating way…
• Espèce de patate — You dim bulb — a potato being the very picture of inert, unthinking stodginess.
• Quel râleur / quelle râleuse — You never stop moaning — everything is a complaint, nothing is ever good enough.
• Peau de vache — A mean, difficult, and unpleasant person — tough and unyielding like tanned hide.

More French compliments & insults

• Tu as une cervelle de moineau — You're scatterbrained and forgetful.
• Tu es mon rayon de soleil — A warm way to tell someone they brighten your day.
• Joli comme un cœur — Utterly charming or adorable.
• Tu as un cœur d'or — You are genuinely kind and generous.
• Tu déchires — You're awesome — you totally rock.
• Bête comme ses pieds — Really not very bright.

← Back to Compliments & Insults

Loading the full interactive collection…