The term is now common parlance in French political commentary, used both critically and ironically referring back to de Gaulle.
Somebody would be chosen as king for a day, and even the lord of the manor sometimes joined in, enduring ritual humiliation, such as being led through the streets like a servant, or slave, or dog.
Subsequently, the students re-used the expression on leaflets where the silhouette of de Gaulle was accompanied by the slogans "La chienlit, c'est lui !
[5] The term is now common parlance in French political commentary, used both critically and ironically referring back to de Gaulle.
De Gaulle's use of obscure vernacular profanity in a major speech was initially mistranslated by The Guardian and the English press corps as chien lit - dog bed, alluding to a chaotic, dishevelled, malodorous, flea pit, as in the English expression "a dog's breakfast".