What is “Piastre”?
The term “piastre” is a feminine noun in French, originally derived from the Italian word for “metal plate.” Historically, it referred to various currencies in countries like Syria, Sudan, Egypt, and Lebanon. However, in Canadian French, “piastre” has taken on a more familiar meaning, referring to the Canadian dollar. This usage emerged in the early 20th century, with its first recorded colloquial meaning dating back to 1919.
In English, “piastre” translates to “dollar,” (loonie in Canadian English and buck in American English). It’s worth noting that the pronunciation of the word is always “piasse,” never “piastre.” in Québec French.
Interestingly, the term “baise-la-piastre” is a colloquial expression in Québec French that refers to a miser or someone who is stingy. Literally translated, “baise-la-piastre” means “dollar-kisser” In this context, the phrase implies that someone is so tight with their money that they would rather “kiss” or show affection to their dollar than spend it. In English, this phrase can be translated to colloquial terms such as “penny-pincher,” “tightwad,” or “cheapskate.” These expressions convey a similar sentiment of someone who is overly frugal or reluctant to spend money, often to the point of being unreasonable.
It’s important to note that “piastre” is distinct from “pièce,” which means “coin” in both standard and Québecois French. While both terms relate to currency, “piastre” specifically refers to the dollar, whereas “pièce” denotes a physical coin.
Examples in context for Piastre
- J’ai gagné une piastre hier soir.
- I won a dollar last night.
- Il a dépensé toutes ses piastres en un week-end.
- He spent all his dollars in one weekend.