pince-monseigneur

French

Sense 1: crowbar

Sense 2: bolt cutter

Etymology

From pince (“pincer, pliers”) +‎ monseigneur. The French Academy gives the following explanation to explain the term: because ironically it was said that all doors open in front of high-ranking people.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /pɛ̃s.mɔ̃.sɛ.ɲœʁ/, /pɛ̃s.mɔ̃.se.ɲœʁ/

• Audio (Lyon):

  (file)

Noun

pince-monseigneur f (plural pinces-monseigneur)

1. crowbar

   Synonym: pied-de-biche

2. (proscribed) bolt cutter

   Synonym: coupe-boulons

Further reading

• “pince-monseigneur”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.
• “pince-monseigneur” in Cordial.
• “pince-monseigneur” in Le Dictionnaire.
• “pince-monseigneur” in L’Internaute.