IdiomBody & SensesFrench

Se crêper le chignon

Meaning: To have a furious quarrel — said of women.

Literally: To frizz each other's bun

Example: “Les deux voisines se sont crêpé le chignon pour une place de parking.” — The two neighbors had a furious fight over a parking space.

Origin: The chignon is hair gathered and pinned up, and crêper is to backcomb it into a frizz. The phrase describes a fight conducted by pulling at each other's hairdos, and its exclusive application to women is part of its condescension.

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