Every day Stéphane Bern is interested in an expression that we use every day but whose origins we do not know in the program "Historically Vôtre" on Europe 1. Friday, he is interested in the expression "in two three movements "meaning to finish something quickly.
In two steps three movements, and presto it's over!
When we have to hurry, we do it regularly, which remains to be done in two steps three movements.
No more no less.
But where does this expression come from?
Stéphane Bern goes back in time on Friday in his column
The final word
in the program
Historically Vôtre
on Europe 1 to explain his origins to you.
"This expression was born with these blessed generations who had the chance to serve under the flag. They know how to walk in step, love the country and properly wear a beret. But above all: they know how to present a gun during a review. must first keep the rifle is at his feet, then bring it back to the level of the belt before raising it to the shoulder all this in two stages. The "three movements" arrived in the form of a joke, probably at the during the 19th century, to accentuate the speed of the gesture.
A military expression ... and musical!
But the formula could also derive its origin from music theory.
In military music, the two-beat measure is widely used.
The strong and weak beats follow one another, and three movements constitute a regular set, conducive to the parade.
"Military justice is to justice, what military music is to music," said Georges Clémenceau.
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And how do you say "in two stages, three movements" among our European neighbors?
Across the Channel we use "in the blink of an eye".
In Dutch, it is rather pretty, it is the formula: "in a curse and a sigh".
And in Portugal the expression is transposed into "just enough time for the devil to rub his eye": that would almost make you shiver ".