With the Tour de France coming through Essex on Monday we’ve produced a guide to help the French cyclists understand what the crowd are shouting.
French is la langue maternelle (mother tongue) for international cycling, so readers can also use the tongue-in-cheek guide to help them tell their maillot jaune (yellow jersey) from your voiture balai (broom wagon).
So below is our guide to cycling – the Essex way:
Bonjour – Oi
Je suis très excité – I’m well ‘app-y
La bicyclette – Yer bike
Le cycle shorts – Hot pants
Les drugs pour l’enhancement du performance – Ever readies
Le sprinte finish – Race to sale at Primark Lakeside
Le course a commencé – On yer bike
Casque de velo – Titfer (cycle helmet)
Un accident terrible – Cor blimey
Un tour fort – Reem! (a strong ride)
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