crème aigre
The English phrase soured cream is crème aigre in French.
The term crème aigre refers to soured cream. In many French recipes, crème fraîche is used as a substitute for sour cream, though it is naturally thicker and less acidic than true American sour cream.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of crème (cream) and aigre (sour/acidic).
Did you know?
- The word aigre comes from the Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'sharp', which is the same root that gives us the English word 'acute'.
- When a French person says a wine has 'turned' or become vinegar, they use the word aigre.
- If you are looking for sour cream in a French supermarket, you might actually find it labeled as crème de lait fermentée, as crème aigre sounds somewhat technical.
Examples in context
- Tu peux m'apporter un peu de crème fraîche pour accompagner les pommes de terre?Can you bring me some soured cream to accompany the potatoes?
Example conversation
Lucas and Manon are preparing a meal in the kitchen.
- LucasManon, où est la crème aigre ?Manon, where is the soured cream?
- ManonElle est dans le réfrigérateur, Lucas.It is in the refrigerator, Lucas.
- LucasJe ne la trouve pas.I can't find it.
- ManonRegarde derrière le lait.Look behind the milk.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aigre, crème, CC BY-SA 4.0.
