Learning French: the origins and meaning of faire le mariole
Acting the goat or fooling around, we explore the French phrase to describe the class clown
The expression 'faire le mariole' means to make a show of oneself, usually in a foolish manner
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Arrête de faire le mariole !
Use this saying the next time you come across someone who is being silly or acting smart.
We look at the many potential origin stories surrounding this fun French phrase.
What does faire le mariole mean?
It does not strictly have a literal translation, but is used to describe a person who makes a show of themselves, usually in a foolish manner.
In English, you might say: to fool around, to act the clown, to try to be clever.
Similar sayings include:
Jouer au plus malin - To play the wise guy
Faire son petit malin - To be a smart Alec
Etre débile - To be silly
Faire l'imbécile - To play the fool
Faire le clown/guignol - To clown around
Etre un pinpin - To be bad at something
Read also: Learning French: the origins and meaning of fada
What are the origins of faire le mariole?
There are several potential origin stories surrounding this expression.
The most common explanation relates to Dominique Gay Mariole, a soldier of Napoleon’s imperial guard who was nicknamed l’Indomptable (the indomitable one) due to his large stature. He also had the reputation of being a prankster.
It is said that, at the moment of presenting arms, Mariole held a cannon on his shoulder instead of a rifle. This supposedly inspired the expression, leading to the definition: to make a show of oneself.
Other sources claim that the expression originates from the Italian word mariolo, which translates to ‘rascal’ or ‘rogue’. Apparently, the word entered the French language around the 16th Century and the expression evolved from there.
Read also: Learning French: the origins and meaning of dingue
Alternatively, some argue that the expression was actually inspired by the Virgin Mary, or small images of her called marioles which were popular in the 13th Century.
It is said that the term was used to refer to people who tried to give the impression that they were more pious than they really were, and evolved over time to describe any sort of attention-seeking behaviour.
Another explanation is that the word mariole derives from marionette. Puppet shows often feature dramatic storylines and exaggerated characters which would explain why faire le mariole implies making a fool of oneself.
When do you say faire le mariole?
Say this to scold or tease someone who is acting foolish:
Read also: ‘Arrête tes bêtises!’ - Nine ways to scold someone in French
You can also use it to describe someone who is a bit silly:
It is also employed to describe someone who is delusional or bad at something:
To whom do you say faire le mariole?
It is colloquial language that can be used with friends and family.
Saying this could risk hurting someone’s feelings but the phrase is mainly used in a lighthearted manner.
You should probably avoid using it in very formal or professional situations. A more neutral alternative would be: être malin (clever), or être stupide (silly).
If you would like us to explain a particular word or expression, or if you have any other Learning French suggestions, let us know at: feedback@connexionfrance.com
