Switzerland· hard· informal

avoir la grulette

to have the grulette (Swiss dialect word)

Meaning

To be trembling all over

Explanation

In Swiss French, 'gruler' is an old dialect verb for shaking or shivering. Having 'la grulette' means you're trembling all over, whether it's the cold or nerves behind it.

Example

Après la baignade dans le lac, elle avait la grulette.

After swimming in the lake, she was shivering all over.

Origin

It's a Swiss French dialect word, from the old verb 'gruler' (to shake or tremble) plus a diminutive ending. It's been recorded in Suisse romande since 1852, with regional variants like 'greulette' and, in the Jura, 'grulatte'.

Source

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