premier venu

French

FWOTD – 16 January 2024

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /pʁə.mje v(ə).ny/

Noun

premier venu m (plural premiers venus)

1. the first person that comes along; the man in the street, the average person; everyone, anyone

   Synonyms: n’importe qui, tout-venant, tout le monde

   Ne va pas répéter ça au premier venu ! ― Don't go blabbing about this to just anyone!

   coucher avec le premier venu ― to sleep with every person one meets

   Je ne suis pas le premier venu ! ― I'm not just anyone!

   • 1992, Amélie Nothomb, Hygiène de l'assassin; republished as Alison Anderson, transl., Hygiene and the Assassin, 2010:

     —C’est le comble. Citez-moi un seul individu, non pas meilleur que moi (ce serait impossible), mais aussi gentil que moi.
     —Eh bien… le premier venu.
     —Le premier venu ? Donc vous, si je comprends bien ? Farceur.

     “This is too much. Find me one individual, not better than I am (that would be impossible), but as kind as I am.”
     ”Well… just anybody.”
     “Just anybody? You yourself then, if I've understood correctly. You must be joking.”

Usage notes

Often used in negative sentences.