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roussi

smell of burning

noun roo-SEE Rare
Body & Health Senses

Origin: From roussir, 'to scorch, to singe'

Also means

scorched smell

Usage Note

Roussi specifically denotes the smell of something slightly burnt or singed — hair, fabric, or food. The idiom ça sent le roussi (it smells of burning) is widely used figuratively to mean 'things are getting dangerous' or 'trouble is brewing'. The word is rarely used outside this expression and its literal sense.

Examples

"Ça sent le roussi dans la cuisine."

Natural Translation

It smells like something's burning in the kitchen.

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