épater

Epater is a French transitive verb meaning to astonish, surprise, or shock someone, often by provocative or showy behavior. In contemporary use it expresses more than ordinary surprise, implying a deliberate or performative effect. The present participle épatant is used as an adjective meaning “astonishing” or “impressive,” and the past participle épaté means “astonished” or “amazed.” Common constructions include épater quelqu’un (to shock or impress someone) and, famously, épater les bourgeois (to shock the middle classes), a phrase closely linked with bohemian and avant-garde attitudes.

The origin of épater is not completely clear; the verb appears in older French with senses tied to striking or stunning someone. It is associated with Parisian bohemian culture, literature, painting, and theater, where provocations aimed at challenging social norms were celebrated as part of artistic experimentation. In modern usage, épater can carry neutral, humorous, or pejorative connotations depending on context, but it retains a sense of intentional performance rather than passive astonishment. The expression épater les bourgeois remains the best-known example and is frequently invoked in discussions of art history and cultural movements.

In English-language contexts, épater is usually translated as “to shock” or “to amaze,” with nuance varying by context. Related forms include épatant (impressive) and épaté (astonished). As a cultural marker, épater often signals a stance of rebellion or critique toward established norms rather than mere entertainment.