vaches grasses

French

Etymology

Literally, “fat cows”; an allusion to the story in Genesis, chapter 41, in which Pharaoh has a dream in which seven lean cows devour seven fat cows. The dream is interpreted by Joseph to mean that seven years of plenty will be followed by seven years of famine (see Joseph (Genesis) § Joseph in prison).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /vaʃ ɡʁas/

Noun

vaches grasses f pl (plural only)

1. (figuratively) abundance, prosperity

   Synonyms: abondance, opulence

   Antonyms: vaches maigres, disette, pénurie

   temps de vaches grasses ― time(s) of prosperity

   période de vaches grasses ― period of prosperity

   années de vaches grasses ― years of prosperity, boom years