The expression coup de grâce (sometimes coup de grace) means "blow of mercy" in French, and is used to describe the death blow intended to end the suffering of a mortally wounded creature. It is used figuratively to describe the last of a series of events or acts which brings about the end of some entity.
The French pronunciation of Coup de grâce is [ku də gras]. The plural is coups de grâce ("blows of mercy"), pronounced the same as the singular form. In English it is often pronounced [ku də gra] . Not pronouncing the final s is an example of a type of hypercorrection known as a hyperforeignism.
2006-07-13 20:19:52
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answer #1
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answered by Jim T 6
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Had an wacky European History prof in college. Made us look up weird things and their origin. I remember most of them.. long story short for you answer.
French for "slit the throat". Term first was used normally for farmers back in the middle ages when they told the farm hands which animals kill for food. Farmer would walk by a pig, tap it on the head and say "coupe de grau".
When the French revolution came, many of people where of the poor and meager ala farmers at the time. The slang of coupe de grau turned into a term meant for "death blow" during battle or/also a style of public example of punishment set forth by the mayors or kings of France. A prisoner's sentence of the style of execution they were going to get which would vary from hangings, gelatin, gun fire or coupe de grau.
Hope this helps!
2006-07-13 20:32:49
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answer #2
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answered by Charles 2
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I think you mean "coup de grace" - roughly, 'blow (as in strike) of grace (or mercy).' It refers to putting an enemy out of his misery after an honorable defeat with one quick swipe. In times when medical attention on the battlefield was hard to come by, it was considered merciful to kill swiftly rather than let someone languish. Note that this was not afforded to people one didn't like (such as infidels), didn't care about (such as peasants), or who had acted dishonorably (such as bandits).
Incidentally, the Wikipedia article says the common American pronunciation 'coo day grah' actually corresponds to 'blow of fat.' Sounds like you're smacking someone with a pound of lard. The proper (approximate) pronunciation is 'coo day grahs.'
2006-07-13 20:27:29
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answer #3
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answered by dukefenton 7
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coupe de gras (if its the same thing) is a slit throat, I don't know if thats the exact or literal translation though.
2006-07-13 20:16:08
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answer #4
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answered by Anonymous
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overthrow of the government
2006-07-13 20:15:45
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answer #5
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answered by Mariah 3
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car body style of gray color
2006-07-13 20:25:11
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answer #6
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answered by maximus 2
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direct translation of tat CUT FAT... its french
2006-07-13 20:18:16
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answer #7
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answered by Anonymous
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Ewan ko, no se!
2006-07-13 21:47:43
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answer #8
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answered by JepJep92 3
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