ailai au païs de claiquedant

Bourguignon

Etymology

Literally, "to go to the country of 'Snaptooth'". Origin of phrase and apparent creature "Snaptooth" unknown; probably from local folklore of a demon, bugaboo or cryptid linked to Hell, now lost to history. However, compare cognate French claquedent (“man shivering with cold”); this then may refer to Hell being seen as dark and cold (the "outer darkness"), hence the first sense. Secondary sense of "to ingest medicine for a winter disease" is even further nebulous.

However, most likely it is simply a comedic reference to teeth shivering from a fever or cold.

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /aj.lɛ ɔ pɛ dɛ klɛk.dɑ̃/

Verb

ailai au païs de claiquedant

1. to go to hell (literal or insult)
2. to ingest some medicine for any winter disease

References

• Vocabulaire raisonné et comparé du dialecte et du patois de la province de Bourgogne, by Thomas Mignard, 1870.