French Culture – Retro Pubs Posted by Tim Hildreth on Jul 9, 2019 in Culture, Vocabulary
When I lived in France in the 1980’s, I found popular culture, including commercials, to be a powerful way to connect with and to learn French. J’étais donc enchanté (I was therefore charmed) to stumble across this great YouTube clip (video) that features de biens bons (some great ones).
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing highlights of my favorites. I hope you enjoy this retour vers le passé* en guise de leçon de vocabulaire (trip back to the past as vocabulary lesson) as much as I do.
Avi3000 SuperCrème (Pubs des années 80 / 80’s commercials)
| Français | English |
| Comme Avi3000 (trois mille) SuperCrème est monocouche | Since Avi3000 (three thousand) SuperCreamy is one-coat |
| La première** couche est aussi la dernière** | The first coat is also the last |
| Mais quand on a peint | But when you’re done painting |
| On ne peut voir qu’une seule couche, la dernière | You can only see one coat, the last |
| Donc on ne peut pas savoir que c’est la première | So you can’t tell that it is the first |
| Couche | Coat |
| Ce qui est sûr avec Avi3000 SuperCrème monocouche | One thing that is sure with Avi3000 SuperCreamy one-coat |
| C’est que la dernière couche est sans odeur | Is that the last coat has no odor |
| Et que la première ne goutte pas non plus | And that the first goat doesn’t drip either |
| Vu que c’est la même | Since they are they same |
| Couche | Coat |
| Homme : On l’a bien eu eh, Médor ?*** | Man : We really got him, didn’t we, Medor? |
| Avi, Le talent sans forcer | Avi, Talent without effort |
* As opposed to Un retour vers le futur which would be Back to the Future.
** One of the things I love about this clip/video is the play of première and dernière since with only one couche/coat or layer the single layer is both la première et la dernière couche!
*** While the origins are difficult to pin down, Médor is a classic name for les chiens/dogs in French. One theory traces the nom/name Médor back to the hero of a 16th century epic poem. Others claim the name comes from un chien/a dog who came to mourn son maître/his master killed during a battle around the 1830 revolution in France près du Louvre/near the Louvre. In any case, it’s the French equivalent of the English Fido (or Spot).
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About the Author: Tim Hildreth
Since my first trip to France at 16, I have been a passionate francophile. I love the language, food, music, art, people, and more that make France and la Francophonie in general such an amazing part of our global community. Having lived in France and studied the language and culture for over 35 years, it is my great pleasure to be able to share a little bit of my deep love with you through this blog.