“Argadz” is this fascinating slang for Arts and Crafts

“It’s to lar’∫∫ tap’∫∫ ap’∫∫ zok his empty tank.”These words leave you speechless? At least they were for the first few months. The beginnings at Arts et Métiers (ENSAM) are whimsical and contrast with the sometimes-gritty rigor of the titanic work given in the preparatory classes to consolidate this prestigious school. Exploring the campus, passing on traditions and especially this popular slang“friend”…: the first trimester is devoted to what students call “working”understand the cycle that sees the second year welcome newcomers. “The term comes from our industrial traditions, with the metaphor of turning raw potentials, i.e. unworked ones, into jewels of our school”Cyril explains in his final year. “The acceptance of the booklet with the translation of the jargon is carried out very early”Vincent, who graduated from the school, adds, “after some activities to understand its ceremonial side”.

” ALSO READ – “Ginette”, “Franklin”, “L’X”… Where do these schools’ nicknames come from?

It is a whole slang, formed by vocabulary, grammar rules… and even onomatopoeia, and passed down through the generations. A jargon that shapes a world you can’t understand unless you embrace it. For Vincent, this hermetic language, unknown to new students, allows “To completely change all the cards when you come to school. Everyone is in unfamiliar territory. Therefore, this language forms an esprit de corps. But where does it come from?

“In the origin of this language lies the contradictory aspect”, – says Kirill. At the end of the 18th century, the school was later established to train the wards of the cavalry regiment “Masters of the Industrial Revolution”Vincent explains. “They were all in a boarding school, the guards were strict, and the rules of the dormitories were very strict”. This is how the slang for Cyril was built “So that students can communicate with each other without being understood by rhinestones [la hiérarchie]. They were stronger together.”.

Hundreds of semantic findings

But why this name“friend”? “Slang first became arg because we inherit military traditions“, explains Vincent. It sounds like the last syllable “girl”abbreviation “gadget” [gars des arts], a nickname that students wear with pride. It doesn’t take much longer for semantic discovery to emerge, “friend”, lasted more than two centuries. To the list of nearly two hundred words that have been transmitted, one must add all the deletions at the end of the words. “of”. It is called an aperitif “goodbye”says the school “add”. However, there is no question of abbreviating such important words “Tradition”, capitalized and written in Gothic letters with many applications. Vincent and Cyril jealously watch the rest of the dictionary: “Nothing is hidden, but everything is a surprise. We have nothing to hide, but we don’t want to spoil the emotion of discovery for the viewers.”

Some words vary between the seven first-year students, however “There is a common vocabulary to maintain a common base”. the “gadget” d’Angers knows in the evening or on the street “gadget” From Lille. the “swing”to hear “hello”or after to gadzart what certain onomatopoeia “tea for two” Located in Louis de Funes Big mop: recognition signal. “When you see someone on the street wearing a square or some other reference, you can easily say ‘sal’s’ and give a nice wink to confirm that the guy is at school.” In the second year, the task is simpler: students have to grow beards and hair, which allows them to be easily identified. And this strong sense of belonging continues after three years at the school.

But one question burns us: is the language so well-connected that it becomes ordinary? “It’s hard to do without certain words that are more practical, faster. We sometimes have the impression that this slang is universal because we have been speaking this slang for three years and people around us understand it.Vincent concludes. Once in our family, we understand this.