ConnectWord · Ages 6-80 · In use
tabarouette
A softened, family-friendly version of a strong Québec swear. It shows surprise or annoyance, like 'holy cow' or 'darn'.
Tabarouette, as-tu vu la neige à matin? (Holy cow, did you see the snow this morning?)
For parents and educators
This is the polite version. Kids often learn it from parents who don't want to swear in front of them.
Where it came from
A gentle twist on the church-word swear 'tabarnak', which comes from 'tabernacle'.
Also heard as
tabarnouche, tabarnouette