clope

Cultural Note

The informal word for cigarette and a cornerstone of French social culture. Despite anti-smoking campaigns, the clope remains a social prop — stepping outside for a clope is how you make friends at parties, seal business deals, and escape boring conversations. 'Taxer une clope' (to bum a cigarette) is an ancient French tradition and a legitimate conversation starter. The terrasse of any French café is essentially an open-air smoking lounge with coffee.