Casser Sa Pipe

The French euphemism equivalent  to "biting the dust"  means "to break his pipe." Thought to have originated in the late eighteenth century, it has been linked to the practice of treating wounded soldiers during the Napoleonic Wars by placing a clay pipe in their mouth to prevent screaming during amputations. If the patient faints or dies, the pipe drops/breaks. This phrase has also been associated with the death of Moliere, who died onstage while holding a pipe between his teeth. Neither link has been substantiated. The image that my mind conjured up when I heard this phrase was a more pro-active one, a recognition of the ending of earthly attachments.

  

Casser Sa Pipe