coeur d’artichaut

ByFast French

“Coeur d’artichaut” is a French saying that translates literally as “heart of artichoke” or “artichoke heart.” What it really means is someone who falls in love easily, or it can also mean someone who is fickle in love.

An artichoke is a vegetable with tough leaves on the outside and a much softer centre. Comparing an artichoke to a person is to relate each leaf of the artichoke to someone that person falls in love with. It is someone who falls in love too easily and is not sufficiently reliable to remain in love with one person for the rest of their life.

The idiom dates back to the end of the 19th century. Its original form was the proverb “heart of artichoke, one leaf for everyone.”

Similar English expressions include “to be fickle” and “artichoke heart.”

Don’t miss out on new posts – subscribe now!

Don’t miss new articles!

Get 1 email a week with new articles about French

We don’t spam! Read more in our privacy policy

Similar Posts

  • Verb: être

    ByFast French

    The French verb “être” is important in the French language. It serves as the equivalent of the English verb “to be” and plays a vital role in constructing sentences, expressing identity, existence, and characteristics. With its diverse conjugation patterns, “être” encapsulates the essence of being in the French language. As an irregular verb, “être” defies…

  • arroser

    ByFast French

    The French verb “arroser” means “to sprinkle,” “to water,” “to spray” or “to douse.” A reflexive version, “s’arroser,” also exists, usually referring to the consumption of alcohol. arroser examples s’arroser examples Etymology The verb “arroser” is derived from the Latin words “ad,” meaning “to,” and “ros,” meaning “dew” or “moisture.”

  • sentir vs se sentir

    ByFast French

    What is the difference between the French verbs “sentir” and “se sentir”? They both mean “to feel” in English, although “sentir” can also mean “to smell.” So how are they different from each other and how should each one be used? In short, “sentir” is for physical sensations like smell or touch, while “se sentir”…

  • cinquième colonne

    ByFast French

    “Cinquième colonne” is a French idiom that means “fifth column.” It translates as “traitor, enemy spy organisation, spy, or secret service for a foreign country.” The idiom dates back to 1936, during the Spanish Civil War. The Nationalists of General Franco announced that the capital of Spain, Madrid, would be attacked by five columns of…