vogue la galère

French

Etymology

Composed of vogue (“sail”) +‎ la (“the”) +‎ galère (“galley (boat)”).

Formerly vogue la gallée, gallée or galée being previous forms of the word galère. One of the first known uses of this expression is found in the Farce de Maître Mimin ("Farce of Master Mimin", anonymous, c. 1450–1500), which was one of the most popular farces of the Middle Ages:

Il suffist, il s’en faut aller ;
Chantons hault à la bien allée,
Et à Dieu, vogue la gallée !

This refrain, which was itself very popular, was followed by others, like the one found in a comedy by Alexis Piron:

Et vogue la Galère,
Tant qu’elle, tant qu’elle, tant qu’elle,
Et vogue la Galère,
Tant qu’elle pourra voguer.

The image of the galley that sails is simply that of a boat going on the water.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /vɔɡ la ɡa.lɛʁ/
• Rhymes: -ɛʁ

Adverb

vogue la galère

1. come what may

   Synonym: advienne que pourra