Beauf

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Beauf [pronounced /bɔ:f/] is a French term describing a person thought to be vulgar, unintelligent, uncaring, violent, greedy, bigoted, racist, chauvinistic, supporter of nationalistic or far-right politics, etc.

French cartoonist Cabu is responsible for coining the term, which is an abbreviation of "beau-frere" - brother-in-law. The first canonical representation of the beauf is actually the brother-in-law of the Grand Duduche, a cartoon hero.

Another canonical representations of the beauf can be found in Renaud Séchan's songs (see Mon Beauf). The canonical 1970s beauf by Cabu wore a mustache, but the newer versions wear a "cool" ponytail. Another classical example is the cliché army non-commissioned officer: uneducated, vulgar, somewhat alcoholic, brutal, and nostalgic of the colonial wars.

It is difficult to define precisely what is beauf and what he is not, since, to some extent, this is a subjective judgment. A beauf is essentially a Frenchman whose understanding and curiosity does not extend beyond his everyday environment. The worst specimen are vulgar, narrow minded and insensitive. One could say, for instance, that vacationing in a camping-car and holding barbecues is beauf. One may also consider that hunting is beauf. Muscle cars and, more general, big sport cars with custom design are also generally considered beauf.

Beauf implies some bad taste, perhaps some campiness. Some consider the garden gnome to be beauf.

The nouveau beauf (new beauf) is a more urban and trendy version. Nouveaux beauf ride SUVs, are adept of plastic surgery and support Nicolas Sarkozy.

A corresponding term in Québec French is colon. Another French word could be bidochon, according to a very famous french comic Les bidochons.