rimer comme hallebarde et miséricorde
French edit
Etymology edit
Literally, “to rhyme like halberd and mercy”. Said to go back to an 18th-century epitaph where this rhyme, which is highly impure at best, was used. The effect is increased by the fact that the two words also have rather opposed meanings.
Pronunciation edit
Verb edit
rimer comme hallebarde et miséricorde
- (simile) to make no sense, to have no rhyme or reason
- Synonyms: ne rimer à rien, n’avoir ni queue ni tête