pince-monseigneur
French
Sense 1: crowbar
Sense 2: bolt cutter
Etymology
From pince (“pincer, pliers”) + monseigneur. The French Academy gives the following explanation to explain the term: because ironically it was said that all doors open in front of high-ranking people.[1]
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /pɛ̃s.mɔ̃.sɛ.ɲœʁ/, /pɛ̃s.mɔ̃.se.ɲœʁ/
France (Lyon) (file)
Noun
pince-monseigneur f (plural pinces-monseigneur)
- crowbar
- Synonym: pied-de-biche
- (proscribed) bolt cutter
- Synonym: coupe-boulons
Further reading
- “pince-monseigneur”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.
- “pince-monseigneur” in Cordial.
- “pince-monseigneur” in Le Dictionnaire.
- “pince-monseigneur” in L’Internaute.
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