Crapaud

Etymology

The word ultimately is rooted from Frankish *krappō, *krappa, meaning "hook", likely in reference to the toad's hooked feet.

Heraldry

Crapaud is sometimes used as an incorrect reference to the Fleur-de-lys on the ancient heraldic flag of the kings of France. The three fleurs-de-lys were sometimes misinterpreted as "three toads erect, saltant", instead of "three lily flowers".

In fiction

The word crapaud is used extensively by fictional British soldier Richard Sharpe as a derogatory term for the French in Bernard Cornwell's novels set during the Napoleonic Wars.

Jean Crapaud

Jean Crapaud, also Johnny Crappeau or Johnny Crappo, as defined by Webster's Online Dictionary, "is a jocose name given to a Frenchman. It is intended as a national personification of the French people as a whole in much the same sense as John Bull is to the English. It is sometimes used as a literary device to refer to a typical Frenchman, usually in the form of Monsieur Jean Crapaud." The usage of the word "crapaud" in this case is similar to the derogative use of the word "frog", referencing the supposed French affinity for frog legs as a delicacy.

Jersey Crapaud

The name Crapaud is used in the Channel Islands to describe a person from Jersey, the name meaning toad in the local Patois languages, including Jèrriais and Guernésiais. Spiny toads live in Jersey but not on the other islands.

Gallery

File:La Femme aux crapauds par Paul Berthon.png|La Femme aux crapauds par Paul Berthon File:Strasbourg, cathédrale, tentateur et vierges folles 02.jpg|The "tempter" (he holds the forbidden fruit; hidden in his back are toads and reptiles, symbolising corruption) and the foolish virgins (their lamps are overturned, symbolising their emptiness; they hold the scrolls of the law closed, thus remaining ignorant of the Lord's will). A mediaeval interpretation of the Parable of the Ten Virgins from the Gospel of Matthew 25:1–13. File:Blason Pharamon.svg|Arms of Pharamond: Sable three golden toads. File:Armes du Prince Gwenael Louis GARAUD.png|Arms of Gwenael Louis Garaud File:Rivals - JM Staniforth.png|Cartoon showing France in the guise of Johnny Crappeau

References

References

1. Ebenezer Cobham Brewer. (2001). "The Wordsworth Dictionary of Phrase and Fable". Wordsworth Editions.
2. Ellen J. Millington. ''[https://archive.org/details/heraldryinhisto00millgoog/page/n23 Heraldry in history, poetry, and romance]''. Chapman and Hall; 1858 [cited 27 September 2012]. p. 8–.
3. [https://archive.today/20130416031347/http://www.websters-online-dictionary.org/definitions/Jean+Crapaud Jean Crapaud.] Webster's Online Dictionary. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
4. (9 October 2014). "Jersey toad is unique species, say experts". BBC News.