Learning French: the origins and meaning of sur le plancher des vaches
Sailors invented this phrase when dreaming of walking on solid ground
It literally translates as 'on the cow floor'
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Il n’est rien tel que le plancher des vaches.
If you turn a sickly green shade at the thought of bobbing boats, this 16th century idiom is the perfect way of expressing your desire to stay on dry land.
We look at why the French associate firm floors with cows and share more similarly-themed expressions to get you sounding like a native in no time.
What does sur le plancher des vaches mean?
It literally translates as, ‘on the cow floor,’ however, a more appropriate definition is: to be on firm or solid ground.
People often use it to describe staying on dry land as opposed to the sea or sky.
It can also more broadly refer to being down-to-earth or figuratively transparent.
Read also: Learning French: tout est bon dans le cochon and other pig phrases
What are the origins of sur le plancher des vaches?
This saying (originally: le plancher aux vaches), dates to the 16th century, when sailors would make long trips across the sea.
Ship crews would rarely see cows roaming in farmyard fields during their voyages.
Sailors were stuck with the unsteady wooden boat decks and dreamt of walking on solid ground, where they would find cows and other land animals once more.
Cows can also be symbols of stubbornness, highlighting a reluctance to move from the comfort of their firm and familiar environment.
The phrase is still said today to suggest that land transport is preferable (and less dangerous) to taking a plane or a boat. It can also be used metaphorically to imply that you feel comfortable in a particular environment or situation.
Read also: French expressions for describing rain: sound like a native
Similar expressions
Plancher appears in other French sayings such as:
Débarrasser le plancher - Clear off!
Feu de plancher - Too-short trousers
Mettre le pied au plancher - Step on it!
La vache pops up fairly often as well:
Amour vache - A love-hate relationship
Pleuvoir comme vache qui pisse - To be raining cats and dogs
Manger de la vache enragée - To live from hand to mouth
Parler anglais comme une vache espagnole - Speak broken English
When do you say sur le plancher des vaches?
You can use this expression when referring to a person or thing as being solid, clear or down-to-earth:
On va se parler franchement, à hauteur d’hommes, sur le plancher des vaches. - Let us speak honestly here, man to man, lay all our cards on the table.
It is usually used to refer to the pleasure of regaining dry, solid land:
J'étais soulagé d'atterrir, revenir sur le plancher des vaches, après notre long vol depuis l'Australie. - I was relieved to touch down on solid ground, after our long flight from Australia.
To whom do you say sur le plancher des vaches?
This colloquial saying is considered neutral language, and can be used with friends, family or strangers.
It is mostly used by older generations, so young people might not understand what you mean.
Read also: What are the rules for owning a goat in France?
