Why do I need to know cool head?
Because the way this word is used in French is quite different from in English.
What does it mean?
The cool head – pronounced lah tett fwahd – literally refers to having a ‘cold head’ but when coupled with the verb ‘To keep’ (to keep), it actually refers to maintaining a cold, concentrated expression or a ‘poker-face’.
It can also be used in the same way as the English expression ‘to keep a cool head’ or to remain calm and composed in a stressful situation.
And it’s just one example of how in French the word head (head) is used in phrases where in English we would use ‘face’. In French, however, it would be strange to say ‘visage’ if you’re talking about someone’s expression or demeanour.
For example, if you wanted to say someone has a mean-looking face and appears to be a bad guy, in French the exact translation would be to say they have a mean head (a bad guy’s head).
Maybe you are planning to host a surprise party, and you can’t ‘wait to see the face they will make’ – once again, in French you would use the word for head here (I can’t wait to see the face he will make).
Other rude expressions follow the same rule – for instance, the insult that someone has a ‘resting bitch face’ in English translates to ‘bitch head’ in French (keep in mind this is obviously quite insulting and profane).
While the interchangeability of the French ‘head’ and the English ‘face’ might be difficult to remember when in social settings, it might be some relief that ‘head’ actually means ‘head’ in medical contexts.
So don’t worry, saying ‘I have a headache’ does not mean your face hurts (it means you have a headache).
Use it like this
She didn’t want to show how nervous she was before the presentation. She kept a cool head. – She did not want to show how nervous she was before the presentation. She kept her poker-face.
I tried to keep a cool head when I shook hands with the celebrity, but it was hard not to smile. – I tried to keep a straight face when I shook hands with the celebrity, but it was hard not to smile.