Why do I need to know la langue de bois? An expression that does not translate literally, it's a handy little phrase if you're feeling exasperated with a French politician or bureaucrat (un fonctionnaire) who cannot seem to just answer the question. La langue de bois literally translates as wooden language, but here it's nothing to do with lumberjacks. Posez une question directe au ministre et il répond en utilisant un langage en bois. For more French words and expressions, check out our French word of the Day section.

Source: The Local October 14, 2019 08:48 UTC