bouillon!

[Clare H]

Does anyone have any ideas how to translate bouillon when it is used to refer to some kind of cafe/eating place, perhaps in a slang way, (in 19th C Paris). It needs to be something referring to a slightly cheap place to eat, maybe almost like a greay spoon cafe, but not so modern.... Bit of a tall order but if anyone has any ideas that will be great!!

[stu harris]

Wikipedia defines it as "un type de restaurant populaire."

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bouillon

 

I must say it's a new one on me.

[Ed la mouette]

Well, i am french, but it it is completely new for me too ! :D

[Neil Coffey]

From the description you give, I suppose you could call it a "broth house". I don't recall seeing the term used in this way either, I must admit.

[Clare H]

Thanks Stu, Ed and Neil for your replies... yes it's completely new to me, and the novel it comes from is pretty obscure really (Les Lauriers sont coupes by Dujardin, 1888 in case anyone's dying to read it!) si it may just be him using it this way... broth house is a good idea, might try that. Thanks!

[stu harris]

I polled my IRC channel, almost entirely under age 30, and nobody had heard of it.

[Clare H]

yes, I guess it's really specific to 19 century - or to the writer himself... am still a bit stumped really... thanks for the research! I have a class tomorrow, will see what other people come up with!