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To answer the second part of your question first, it is the mildest possible profanity in French.
People and dictionaries that try to translate it do not do a good job because it should not be translated literally nor should one pick a random mild oath. "Zut alors" is very French, so one should pick a phase characteristic of the country whose dialect one is speaking in. Also, it is in the category of minor religious oaths rather than scatological ones. One should also find something old fashioned because "zut alors" has been around a long time.
So:
In America one might say "Tarnation!" or "Dang it"
In Britain one might say "Blimey!" or "Crikey!"
To throw in a Mexican equivalent, "Caramba!"
People and dictionaries that try to translate it do not do a good job because it should not be translated literally nor should one pick a random mild oath. "Zut alors" is very French, so one should pick a phase characteristic of the country whose dialect one is speaking in. Also, it is in the category of minor religious oaths rather than scatological ones. One should also find something old fashioned because "zut alors" has been around a long time.
So:
In America one might say "Tarnation!" or "Dang it"
In Britain one might say "Blimey!" or "Crikey!"
To throw in a Mexican equivalent, "Caramba!"
source(s):
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/minced-oath.html has a long list of similar phrases and some discussion.
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/minced-oath.html has a long list of similar phrases and some discussion.
Voted as best: lindseylgreene, tracebooks
Zut Alors is a mild expletive akin to saying in English: "Holy Crap!"
There are worse things that could be said but such is fairly mild and safe for family consumption.
There are worse things that could be said but such is fairly mild and safe for family consumption.
source(s):
I am a French As A Second Language speaker who spent eight years studying it and was confused for a Quebecer when visiting Paris.
I am a French As A Second Language speaker who spent eight years studying it and was confused for a Quebecer when visiting Paris.
voted helpful: interzone
Voted as best: gabby7
I grew up learning French and it was not considered a swear word, I only know that because teachers used it in class.
If you were French, you would say "Zut Alors" instead of saying "Damnit"
http://www.flickr.com/photos/33749589@N07/3416815417/
(I write this not knowing what the video above is, as I am in Canada and apparently Hulu's tubes don't reach my igloo, I hear Hulu is a cool site)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/33749589@N07/3417629122/
If you were French, you would say "Zut Alors" instead of saying "Damnit"
(I write this not knowing what the video above is, as I am in Canada and apparently Hulu's tubes don't reach my igloo, I hear Hulu is a cool site)
Voted as best: masontx
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"Zut alors, I have missed one..." - "...such a sweet little succulent crab" - Little Mermaid