Homelessness: City wants “top gun” in Quebec
As the CAQ government prepares a cabinet shuffle, Mayor Plante is asking for a “top gun” to act as homelessness minister.
The city is also putting $22.5 million into projects meant to support the homeless.
What’s the correct French for “top gun”?
PatrickC 11:44 on 2025-08-19 Permalink
The French title of the movie series is … “Top Gun.” But there was a similar movie about French fighter pilots called “Les Chevaliers du ciel.” Doesn’t have the same ring, does it?
Janet 11:47 on 2025-08-19 Permalink
How about “tsar”.
In checking my online dictionary, I find “Monsieur sans-abri”. No idea where that comes from.
MarcG 12:16 on 2025-08-19 Permalink
This is one of those funny expressions that French Quebecers use when they speak English that aren’t really used that way by English speakers, and then we turn ourselves inside out trying to find the French equivalent.
Kate 13:33 on 2025-08-19 Permalink
Like Far West – I know. Used in French generally, not only here.
Ian 15:50 on 2025-08-19 Permalink
That’s it, that’s all is my favourite – though increasingly I am actually hearing Quebec anglos use it unironically along with saying “me, I” instead of “I” and “collaborate” instead of “cooperate”.
Kate 16:07 on 2025-08-19 Permalink
And “close the light”…
Ian 16:14 on 2025-08-19 Permalink
Or really obscure, archaic English that is still technically correct like “derogation” instead of the more typical but less precise “waiver”. “Manifestation” (of unrest) is also way more poetic than “protest” or the unpleasantly vague “rally”
CE 16:21 on 2025-08-19 Permalink
I’ve always liked “what time are we?”
Ian 17:50 on 2025-08-19 Permalink
YOu remind me of the scene in Casablanca