chaouch
(nom masculin)
Ecouter la définition...
Nom porté par un huissier en Afrique du nord.
http://www.mediadico.com/dictionnaire/definition/chaouch/1

I think that in the meaning in this case is probably closer to huissier, using FX Fraipont's reference, because the term is being used in a pejorative and ironic sense not in a literal sense.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 59 mins (2009-12-12 07:14:12 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

I remember some discussion of Alain Minc's role as a controversial top advisor, so this may be a nasty way of saying not an advisor but merely a doorman.

This from the UK Foreign Policy Centre gives a flavor of Minc's role.

Alain Minc is one of France's leading thinkers; he is an historian, economist, social commentator and business guru. In December 2003 he delivered a lecture on the state of transatlantic relations, chaired by Peter Mandelson.

He has written several groundbreaking bestsellers on themes ranging from the new economy and globalisation to nationhood and the dark side of political correctness. In 1978 he predicted a world of global communication through networked computers and was the author of France's first strategy for facing up to the digital revolution. His best known titles include 'The New Middle Ages', ';www.capitalisme.fr' and 'A selfish history of Economics'.

"As well as writing, Alain Minc has been an advisor to various French governments. He formerly served as an Inspecteur de Finances and also runs an influential consultancy firm, AM Conseil. He is the chairman of Le Monde's supervisory board and director of a number of leading companies, from brands such as Gucci to firms such as the automotive giant Valéo and the construction group Vinci."

http://fpc.org.uk/articles/231


--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2009-12-12 07:20:42 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

(Par extension) Garde-chiourme, gardien de prison.
À Biribi c'est là qu'on marche,
Faut pas flancher ;
Quand l'chaouch crie : « En avant marche ! »
I' faut marcher, … (Aristide Bruant, À Biribi.)

http://fr.wiktionary.org/wiki/chaouch

en Algérie on appelait chaouch celui qui surveillait les agissements des uns et des autres et les rapportait à une autorité. Quand on traitait un autre gamin de chaouch. ça voulait dire qu'il rapportait aux parents les errements de leurs gamins. On appelait aussi ça un caouète (de l'espagnol alcahuete, de l'arabe alquawad)

Toujours intéressant de visionner a posteriori certains entretiens. En Octobre 2008, dans les studios de France Info, Alain Minc, le CHAOUCH de Valéry Giscard d'Estaing*, analyse la crise.
[ ... ]
Étonnant de la part d'Alain Minc car RAPPELONS CE QU’EST UN CHAOUCH.
FACTOTUM par excellence « c’est un homme de peine avant d’être un employé dans quelque service et sous l’autorité de quelque chef de service à qui il sert de portier, de plombier, d’électricien, de réceptionniste, de commissionnaire, de planton, de jardinier, de maçon, de portefaix… »
* LE TEMPS D'UNE MISSION SUR L'INFORMATISATION DE LA SOCIETE

http://www.mediapart.fr/club/edition/anti-buzz/article/10030...



--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 8 hrs (2009-12-12 14:49:58 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Extra: I wondered if there was an racio-ethnico-religico-political significance in the choice of words, knowing that Alan Minc is Jewish and may have been born in North Africa.
But it turns out that his father was a French-naturalized Polish Jew, a dentise, and little Alain was born in Paris. So there probably isn't any form of slur intended with the word.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 8 hrs (2009-12-12 14:50:20 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Well, no slur of that particular type.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 8 hrs (2009-12-12 14:51:46 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

dentisT