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Sneaky French Expression
| Meaning | Christmas sales / bargains | |
| Literally | cunning Christmas | |
| Register | informal | |
| Pronunciation | [nuh ehl mah leh(n)] | |
| IPA | [nɔ ɛl ma lɛ̃] | |
Usage notes: The informal French expression Noël malin refers to Christmas sales or bargains, and also plays on consumers’ vanity at the same time.
If you’re wondering what malin, which means "shrewd" or "cunning," has to do with Christmas, the answer is simple: it doesn’t. This expression isn’t describing Christmas or the sales, but rather you: the cunning consumer who is far too smart to pass up these amazing bargains. Or at least, that’s the idea. When a store says Noël malin, what they’re really saying is Noël (pour le) malin.
Par exemple…
| Offres Noël malin | Christmas offers [for the savvy shopper] | |
| Un Noël malin avec Boutique xyz ! | Don’t miss the amazing Christmas sales at Store xyz! | |
| Noël malin, Noël radin | Shrewd Christmas, cheap Christmas | |
| Pour un Noël malin et écolo : des cadeaux recyclés | For an affordable [and cunning] and ecological Christmas: recycled gifts |
More shopping expressions
- bon marché – inexpensive
- un bon rapport qualité-prix – good value
- le Vendredi fou – Black Friday
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