Francophonie· medium· informal
avoir du blé
“to have some wheat”
Meaning
to have money
Explanation
This expression means to be well-off or to have plenty of cash. In English, you might say "to be loaded."
Example
Il a acheté une nouvelle voiture ? Il doit avoir du blé !
He bought a new car? He must have money!
Origin
Since the Middle Ages, wheat has symbolized abundance and wealth in France. The word 'blé' was used as slang for money as early as 1545, since wheat was an expensive and vital commodity. By the late 19th century the usage was widespread, especially among the lower classes.
Source
More like this
- manger de la vache enragéeto endure a long period of hardship
- avoir le beurre et l'argent du beurreto want two incompatible things at once
- mettre du beurre dans les épinardsto improve one's financial situation
- être né pour un petit painTo be resigned to a life of modest means
- manger l'argentTo embezzle funds
- arriver comme un cheveu sur la soupeTo turn up at the worst possible moment