coquelet
The English phrase "cornish game hen" is translated into French as coquelet.
The term coquelet refers to a small chicken specifically bred to be roasted and eaten whole.
Did you know?
- The word coquelet is sometimes used metaphorically in older French slang to describe a young man who is overly dressed up or behaving like a 'dandy'.
- The word coquelet is built from the word coq, meaning 'cock' or 'rooster', and a diminutive suffix. It literally translates to 'little rooster'.
- While English speakers often use 'game hen' to sound more exotic or wild, a French chef would simply use coquelet to denote the bird's size and age. The term is strictly culinary rather than an indication of its habitat.
Examples in context
- Je vais préparer un coquelet au four.I am going to roast a cornish game hen in the oven.
- Le coquelet est très tendre.The cornish game hen is very tender.
- Voulez-vous un coquelet avec des légumes ?Would you like a cornish game hen with vegetables?
Example conversation
A couple is deciding what to cook for dinner.
- EmmaGabriel, que penses-tu de ce coquelet ?Gabriel, what do you think of this cornish game hen?
- GabrielIl a l'air délicieux, Emma.It looks delicious, Emma.
- EmmaJe vais le faire rôtir avec du thym.I am going to roast it with thyme.
- GabrielC'est une excellente idée.That is an excellent idea.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries coquelet, CC BY-SA 4.0.
