This French expression has nothing to do with farting...
Why do I need to know pète-sec?
A good expression to know if you find someone to be a little rude...
What does it mean?
The French expression pète-sec, roughly pronounced pet sek (listen here) literally translates as "dry fart". In reality, it is an informal adjective to describe someone who is "abrupt", "blunt" or "short-tempered". A pète-sec is someone who often comes across as lacking tact or warmth.
The expression appeared in the 19th century. The term is made up of the verb péter, used here in the sense of making a sudden, sharp noise or expressing something abruptly, and the adjective sec (dry).
In French, sec has long been used figuratively to describe someone who is curt, harsh or lacking warmth, as in une réponse sèche (a curt reply).
READ MORE: Péter: the French word that can mean farting, breaking, being drunk and more
Use it like this
Le nouveau patron est un vrai pète-sec.- The new boss is really blunt.
La secrétaire était un peu pète-sec au téléphone. - The receptionist was a bit abrupt on the phone.
Ne fais pas ton pète-sec ! Les gens vont penser que tu es désagréable. - Don't be so curt! People will think you are rude.
