le trac
stage fright
Definition & meaning
The word "trac" most commonly refers to stage fright or performance anxiety. It describes the feeling of nervousness, apprehension, or fear that someone experiences before appearing in front of an audience, performing on stage, or facing a stressful situation such as an exam or an interview. This sensation usually intense just before the event begins and typically subsides once the person is in action.
While much less common, the word can also be used as an onomatopoeia to represent a sharp, snapping sound, similar to "crack" in English. In very rare or archaic contexts, it has been used to refer to a path or a track, though the word trace trac is the standard term for that meaning in modern French.
Grammar & Word origin
"Trac" is a masculine noun. It is most frequently used in the idiomatic expression avoir trac le trac, which translates to "to have stage fright."
The term emerged in French theatrical slang during the 19th century. Its etymology is linked to the verb traquer trac, which means to track or to hunt. This root evokes the feeling of being a hunted animal, cornered by the collective gaze of an audience. Another possible origin is the dialectal word "trac" meaning a "blow" or the "sound of beating," referring to the physical sensation of a pounding heart caused by anxiety.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
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Examples
J'ai un peu de trac avant le spectacle.noun
I have a bit of stage fright before the show.
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