French Word of the Day: Sous-fifre

Why do I need to know sous-fifre?

You might see this word in the press when describing people close to a powerful political figure or organisation. 

What does it mean?

The French word sous-fifre, roughly pronounced soo-fee-fr (listen here), is an informal noun used to describe a low-ranking subordinate, someone who works under a more powerful person and has little authority of their own.

It is often used somewhat dismissively or negatively, suggesting that the person is merely carrying out orders from someone higher up.

The word dates from the late 19th century and is thought to come from the German word pfifferling, which referred to something of little value. This was translated into French as fifrelin, which retained the idea of something worthless or insignificant.

The word fifre is thought to have subsequently emerged as a shortened form of fifrelin. It was then used in professional settings to describe someone considered to have few skills or little experience.

By the beginning of the 20th century, sous-fifre became more widely used in the workplace. It was initially applied to apprentices, who were often seen as inexperienced, before the term gradually broadened to refer to people at the bottom of a professional hierarchy.

Depending on the context, English equivalents include “underling”, “lackey”, or “minion”. 

Use it like this

Ce n’est qu’un sous-fifre du patron. – He’s just one of the boss’s underlings.

Les sous-fifres du ministre ont défendu sa décision. – The minister’s minions defended his decision.

Je ne veux plus être un sous-fifre. J’en ai marre de suivre les ordres de mon patron. – I don’t want to be an underling anymore. I’m sick and tired of following my boss’s orders.