The French expression “chanter comme une seringue” translates literally as “to sing like a syringe.” What it really means is “to sing off key,” or “to sing very badly.”

The origin of this saying remains a mystery. What is known is that the saying dates from the beginning of the 19th century, ie the early 1800s.

Several theories as to its origin exist. One is that it comes from singing like a canary. A canary is “un serin” in French. The theory is that “serin” morphed into “seringue” (syringe), then acquired the opposite meaning, as a sort of joke.

Another theory is that the word “seringue” used to be slang (“argot,” in French) for “a very stupid person.” From this might have developed the idea that singing like a stupid person meant singing badly.

But these remain only theories, and the true origin of this expression remains unknown.