Matchmakers

David S.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Matchmakers

In the C1 writing challenge "A bad matchmaker" the only word accepted for "matchmaker" is "entremetteurs".

Shouldn't "marieurs" be also accepted?

Is the reason, perhaps, that the first is a word for amateurs, as in the story, while second is a word for a professional?

Asked 6 years ago
CécileKwiziq team member

Hi David,

I have never heard the word 'marieurs' used ( neither has Aurélie)...

David S.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

But some dictionary sites give it as the main or only translation of "matchmaker".

E.g. https://www.larousse.fr/dictionnaires/anglais-francais/matchmaker/594298

Also look at the sample usages here:

https://dictionary.reverso.net/french-english/les+marieurs

http://context.reverso.net/translation/french-english/marieur

but I suppose its main usage might be for professionals such as the character Yente in Fiddler on the Roof, which would leave entremetteurs as the most appropriate answer in this context.

CécileKwiziq team member

Hi David,

I have checked in my trusted 'Petit Robert' (a monolingual dictionary) and 'marieur/marieuse' does exist and it is deemed to be 'familier' ( so not official).

Its definition - "Personne qui aime s'entremettre pour conclure des mariages".

So in my opinion it is more of a meddler in those matrimonial matters...

David S.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Sounds right. But also seems applicable to the original story where a couple are trying, unsuccessfully,  to set up a relationship between two of their friends.

Matchmakers

In the C1 writing challenge "A bad matchmaker" the only word accepted for "matchmaker" is "entremetteurs".

Shouldn't "marieurs" be also accepted?

Is the reason, perhaps, that the first is a word for amateurs, as in the story, while second is a word for a professional?

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