The French idiom 'mettre la puce à l'oreille', literally meaning 'to put a flea in someone's ear', signifies making someone suspicious or alerting them to potential problems. This expression, which has no direct English equivalent, underscores the subtle nuances in social communication. Originating in the 13th century, it initially carried a romantic connotation but evolved by the 17th century to reflect its current meaning. Today, it is commonly used in various contexts, including crime stories, to convey caution and the need for vigilance.
Mettre la puce à l'oreille literally translates to 'to put a flea in someone's ear,' but it means to make someone suspicious or cause them to worry.
The idiom first appeared in France in the 13th century, initially meaning to provoke romantic desire, but evolved to its current usage by the 17th century.
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