premier venu

French

FWOTD – 16 January 2024

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /pʁə.mje v(ə).ny/

Noun

premier venu m (plural premiers venus)

  1. the first person that comes along; the man in the street, the average person; everyone, anyone
    Synonyms: n’importe qui, tout-venant, tout le monde
    Ne va pas répéter ça au premier venu !Don't go blabbing about this to just anyone!
    coucher avec le premier venuto sleep with every person one meets
    Je ne suis pas le premier venu !I'm not just anyone!
    • 1992, Amélie Nothomb, Hygiène de l'assassin; republished as Alison Anderson, transl., Hygiene and the Assassin, 2010:
      —C’est le comble. Citez-moi un seul individu, non pas meilleur que moi (ce serait impossible), mais aussi gentil que moi.
      —Eh bien… le premier venu.
      —Le premier venu ? Donc vous, si je comprends bien ? Farceur.
      “This is too much. Find me one individual, not better than I am (that would be impossible), but as kind as I am.”
      ”Well… just anybody.”
      “Just anybody? You yourself then, if I've understood correctly. You must be joking.”

Usage notes

Often used in negative sentences.

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