Verlan

Struggling to break through the language barrier? Maybe we can help. Heard, seen or said something that made you giggle? We'd love to hear about it.

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Kate
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Verlan

Post by Kate »

Verlan
Coming from the word ‘l'envers’, (the reverse), Verlan is a well-known form of French slang which involves reversing the syllables. Many words of verlan are used quite regularly in everyday French, and not just by the kids!

Here are a few popular words used often in verlan

chelou (louche) - shady, dodgy
une meuf (une femme) - woman, wife
ouf (fou) – crazy
relou (lourd) – heavy
une reum (mère) – mother
un reup (père) – father
une teuf (fête) – party
zarbi (bizarre) – strange
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opas
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Post by opas »

Youngest got em all......except she says zarbi is old fashioned! I'll take her word for it.
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Jenjenlouise
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Post by Jenjenlouise »

Chelou ( louche) si weird :P
I can Tell you a lot more if you want ?
martyn94
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Post by martyn94 »

Some of the best-known ones have got so stale that they have been "re-verlanised": eg "arabe" goes to "beur", then goes to "rebeu".
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