IdiomAnimals
French
FrenchRire comme un bossu
Meaning: To laugh helplessly and without restraint.
Literally: To laugh like a hunchback
Example: “Son imitation du prof nous a fait rire comme des bossus.” — His impression of the teacher had us in stitches.
English equivalent: To be in stitches
Equivalents in other languages
English: have someone in stitches
Origin: The image is of a body already bent double, so that laughter completes the shape. It belongs to the same comparative family as rire comme une baleine, and like it dates from a period when physical difference was freely used for comic effect.
More French idioms
- Compter pour du beurre To count for nothing; to be disregarded.
- Mettre du beurre dans les épinards To improve one's financial situation; to make life a bit more comfortable.
- Beurré comme un p'tit Lu Thoroughly drunk.
- Un compte d'apothicaire A needlessly complicated calculation, usually one padded in the biller's favor.
- Tailler une bavette To have a long, friendly chat.
- Une auberge espagnole A place or discussion in which you find only what you yourself brought to it.
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