The Fascinating Linguistic Quirk Behind “Plat du Jour” and “De Jour”

French is a language rich in idiomatic expressions and linguistic quirks, and the phrases “plat du jour” and “de jour” are no exception. These phrases, which have been adopted into English and other languages, have unique origins and uses that reflect the nuances of French grammar and culture. Let’s delve into the fascinating linguistic quirk behind “plat du jour” and “de jour”.

The Meaning and Use of “Plat du Jour”

The phrase “plat du jour”, which literally translates to “dish of the day”, is used in French and English-speaking countries to refer to a special dish that is featured in a restaurant on a particular day. The use of “du” in this phrase is a contraction of “de le”, which means “of the”. Therefore, “plat du jour” means “dish of the day”.

The Meaning and Use of “De Jour”

On the other hand, “de jour” is a French phrase that translates to “of the day”. It is often used in English to describe something that is popular or fashionable at a particular time, such as “soup de jour”. However, it is not used in the same way in French. In French, “de jour” is used to describe something that happens during the day, as opposed to at night. For example, “travail de jour” means “day work”.

The Linguistic Quirk

The interesting linguistic quirk here lies in the use of “du” and “de” in these phrases. In French, “du” is used when referring to a specific thing, while “de” is used when referring to something in a general sense. Therefore, “plat du jour” refers to a specific dish of the day, while “de jour” refers to something that happens during the day in general.

Why Not “Belle du Jour”?

As for why the French do not say “belle du jour” but instead say “belle de jour”, this is because “belle de jour” is an idiomatic expression that means “beauty of the day”. It is used to describe a woman who is beautiful during the day, as opposed to at night. The use of “de” in this phrase is consistent with its use in other phrases to refer to something in a general sense.

In conclusion, the phrases “plat du jour” and “de jour” reflect the nuances of French grammar and culture. They are examples of how language can be shaped by cultural practices and norms, and how these practices and norms can in turn shape the language.