M AY 2 0 1 8 7 7 L’Esprit de L’Escalier The Art of the Task The root of a word reveals differences in DNA between languages. By Rhea Côté Robbins I ’m thinking of the storied keepers of the maisons I’ve known. “So clean you can eat off the floor,” we’d say about the blinding, shining linoleum floors of house- proud family friends. The real problem here is that I have to face my day and its own chores…ouvrage, mon ouvrage. “Do your chores.” Something my ma- man would never say to me. Better she said: Fais ton ouvrage. “Ouvrage, maman, oui” sounds like a title for a song. I have fin- ished my work. Ouvrage is an automatic, intended verbiage to my ears. Then I read the word “chores” in my girlhood books. Do my chores. Chores: a word that feels like a pair of badly fitting shoes that ver- loper–flops off and on. A word that sounds like gratter–scratching sound to my ears. Something to be sing-songed: “doing my chores.” I flap my half-apron at the word of common understanding, at chores. Turn it around in my mouth seven times to try to become accustomed to speaking it. Il faut tourner sa langue sept fois dans sa bouche avant de parler. The etymology of “chore” comes from early English “char,” a form of charcoal or coal. Coal is derived from Germanic and Old Eng- lish “col,” meaning glowing ember. In Middle English: charr, charre, cherre–odd job, turn, occasion, business. The etymolo- gy of ouvrage? Old French: ovraige, ovrage, derived from the Latin word “opera.” Doing one’s work in either language moves you from coal to opera with the ensuing nuanc- es and meanings. One an earthy, glowing stone; the other a reflection on the opera of living and working on the stage of life. A journey from poor Cinderella to princess in a few mere syllables. All the differences be- tween two simple words, representative of the DNA of the cultures, are resplendent in the expressions compared. Some- thing to ponder as one faces the work of the day. n RheaCôtéRobbinsistheauthorof ‘downthe Plains,’andeditorofHeliotrope–FrenchHeri- tageWomenCreate. PORTLAND’S # 1 SIGHTSEEING TOUR Harbor Lights and Sights Cruise 105-minute cruise with beautiful views of Casco Bay’s famous lighthouses, lobster boats, seals, seabirds and more. Just $28 Portland City and Lighthouse Tour 105-minute trolley tour of Portland’s history, architecture, and landmarks, including a stop at Portland Head Light. Just $28 Don’t just see Portland — Discover it. Photo by Jack McCabe $52 for both! Book online @ Portlanddiscovery.com Call today 207-774-0808 • info@PortlandDiscovery.com Long Wharf, 170 Commercial St. (next to DiMillo’s) • Tours depart May-October 18-PORT-6099 Update_Print_Ads_7_3125x4_875_4c_PortlandMag_0208_OUT.indd 1 2/8/18 11:09 AM