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corniaud

mongrel, mutt

noun kor-NYOH Rare

Also means

idiot, fool (informal)

Usage Note

Corniaud originally meant a dog of mixed breed, equivalent to 'mutt.' In everyday informal speech it also serves as a mild insult meaning a stupid or slow-witted person, similar to 'blockhead.' It was popularised by the 1965 French comedy film Le Corniaud starring Louis de Funès.

Examples

"Ce corniaud aboyait toute la nuit."

Natural Translation

That mongrel was barking all night.

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