The Giggle-Worthy World of French "Bad Words": Why Kids Can't Get Enough

If you've spent any time around our house, you've probably heard the unmistakable sound of little voices shouting "CACA BOUDIN!" followed by uncontrollable giggles. That well-worn copy of Stephanie Blake's modern classic sitting on our bookshelf might be the most-read book in our home. I mean look at it.

Let's be honest: kids everywhere are universally drawn to "potty talk." But there's something delightful about these words in French that makes them even more fun to say.

The Magical Allure of French Potty Talk

There's a special kind of joy that comes from watching your four-year-old's face light up when they discover that "poop" in French is "caca" (pronounced kah-kah), and somehow it sounds both naughtier AND more sophisticated than its English counterpart. Suddenly, they're practicing French without even realizing it!

Some of our family favorites that have the kids rolling on the floor:

• Caca Boudin - Literally "poop sausage" and yes, it's as ridiculous and hilarious as it sounds
• Prout - The adorably French way to say "fart" (pronounced "proo" with a very soft t)
• Crotte - Another poop-related term that sounds almost fancy (until you know what it means)
• Pet - Another word for flatulence that our kids find endlessly amusing because it sounds like the English word for a beloved animal

Why These Words Actually Help Language Learning

Before you worry that we're raising tiny bilingual potty-mouths, here's the fascinating part: these silly words have become incredible language anchors for our kids. Research shows that emotional engagement helps cement language learning, and what creates more engagement for a five-year-old than the forbidden thrill of saying something a tiny bit naughty?

Reading books like "Caca Boudin" does something remarkable:

1. It creates authentic enthusiasm for reading in French
2. The words are phonetically satisfying and easy to remember
3. It gives kids confidence in their pronunciation (they practice these words A LOT)
4. It provides natural opportunities to discuss cultural differences in what's considered "inappropriate"

Beyond the Bathroom: The Cultural Learning Opportunity

One of the most interesting conversations we've had with Will happened when he realized that words considered taboo in one language might be perfectly acceptable in another. This opened up fascinating discussions about how language reflects culture.

When he asked, "Why is it okay to say 'caca' in this book but not okay to say 'poop' at school?" – we found ourselves exploring the nuances of language appropriateness across cultures. And also...there's a time and a place.

Starting Your Own Silly Word Collection

If you're ready to embrace the giggly side of French learning, here are some books that have become beloved staples in our home:

• Caca Boudin by Stephanie Blake (and the entire Simon series)
• Prout de Mammouth by Noé Carlain
• Le Loup qui faisait des histoires by Orianne Lallemand (not specifically about potty talk but has some giggle-worthy moments)
• Ça fait tilt ! by Hervé Tullet (with sound effects that delight kids)

Embracing the Joy

What we've learned through our family's love affair with French "bad words" is that language learning thrives when it's joyful. When we embrace the silly, the giggly, and yes, even the slightly inappropriate, we create space for authentic engagement.

So the next time you hear a tiny voice experimenting with vocabulary that wouldn't be approved in formal settings, know that these words are building neural pathways that will someday lead to reading Proust. (Okay, maybe that's a stretch, but a parent can dream!)

Have your little ones found favorite "silly" words in French? We'd love to hear your stories in the comments!

Bisous!

Sara & Jason, Co-founders and Chief Giggle Enablers Will et Max Books

P.S. Our presale is in full swing, and yes, we'll happily sneak in a copy of Caca Boudin when building younger collections! Remember, presale members get exclusive perks like flat-rate shipping for ALL of 2025 and beautiful custom bookplates with complete collections. Join Nos Amis before these offers disappear in 4 days!