le flipper

The French word "flipper" primarily has two meanings depending on the context:

1. To Panic or Freak Out (Informal)

• Meaning: In colloquial French, flipper means to panic, become scared, or freak out.
• Usage: Used when someone is feeling nervous, anxious, or scared about something.
• Example: Il a vraiment flippé quand il a vu le serpent. (He really freaked out when he saw the snake.)
• Synonyms:
  • Avoir peur (to be afraid)
  • Panique (panic)
  • Stresser (to stress out)
• Antonyms:
  • Se calmer (to calm down)
  • Rester tranquille (to stay calm)

2. Pinball Machine (Noun)

• Meaning: As a noun, un flipper refers to a pinball machine.
• Usage: The arcade game where players manipulate flippers to keep a metal ball in play.
• Example: On est allé jouer au flipper hier soir. (We went to play pinball last night.)
• Synonyms:
  • Jeu de flippers (pinball game)
• Antonyms:
  • None directly (but other arcade games could be considered antonymous in that they're different)

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Word Structure

• Flipper is originally a verb, taken from English to flip but in French slang has taken its own meaning.
• As a noun, it refers specifically to the machine.

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Summary

• Verb (Informal): To panic, freak out.
• Noun: Pinball machine.