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SAY THIS WHEN SOMEONE STARTS TALKING NONSENSE If you attended the finale of the Nice Carnival this weekend, you may have heard people marveling at the jaw-dropping chars (floats) passing

through the city centre. But did you know that this word also features in a popular French saying? Arrête ton char is actually said as an informal reaction to hearing something unbelievable

or exaggerated.  We will look at how to use it in casual French conversations and explain the film-related origins behind a lesser-used variation of the phrase. WHAT DOES ARRÊTE TON CHAR

MEAN? This informal expression literally translates as: stop your chariot.  Some English speakers might incorrectly assume this French saying is the equivalent of, ‘hold your horses,’

implying that someone should slow down. It is more similar, however, to the phrases: ‘give it a rest,’ ‘you are having a laugh,’ or ‘stop fooling around.’  Similar casual synonyms include: *

Arrête de raconter n'importe quoi - Stop talking nonsense * Arrête de dire des bêtises - Stop talking rubbish * C’est pas vrai - There is no way * C'est ça (sarcastic) - Yeah,

sure * N'exagère pas - Don’t exaggerate Read also: Learning French: what does n’importe quoi mean and when should it be used? WHAT ARE THE ORIGINS OF ARRÊTE TON CHAR? This amusing

expression, which is thought to date to the mid 20th Century, is actually a play-on-words.  Char is used to describe a tank or chariot, while charre (stemming from the verb charrier) is a

slang way of referring to an elaborate joke or exaggeration. The metaphor illustrates the idea of someone talking rubbish at the same rate as a speeding chariot that cannot be stopped. 

Arrête ton char, Ben-Hur, is a variation of the phrase that is sometimes heard as a reference to the 1959 American film, Ben-Hur, and its iconic nine-minute chariot race through Ancient

Rome.  Read also: ‘Arrête tes bêtises!’ - Nine ways to scold someone in French WHEN DO YOU SAY ARRÊTE TON CHAR? It is most often said as a standalone response.  Use this as a reaction to

someone who says something unbelievable: * Statement: J'ai mangé 15 hot-dogs à la fête foraine et j'avais encore faim après. - I ate 15 hot dogs at the carnival and was still

hungry after. * Response: Arrête ton char - Give it a rest.  It can also be used to imply that someone is exaggerating: * Statement: J'ai tellement chaud que je pense que je pourrais

littéralement prendre feu. - I'm so hot I think I might literally catch fire. * Response: Arrête ton char - Stop exaggerating.  Read also: How do you express irritation in French but in

a polite way? TO WHOM DO YOU SAY ARRÊTE TON CHAR? It is informal language that should only really be used with friends and family, or people you are familiar with. You will never use this

in the formal, vouvoie form. It is usually said as a playful tease, however depending on your tone of voice, it could come across as a criticism. If you would like us to explain a particular

word or expression, or if you have any other Learning French suggestions, let us know at: [email protected]