"Faire de la terre le fossé"; c’est-à-dire se servir d’une chose pour en faire une autre.: to use something to make something else out of it. (recycling idea?)
I found this idiomatic expression on this page, final part of page.

faire de la terre le fossé

This page from the Voltaire integral looks like interesting history for Canadians and Americans. Strange site. (I hope you don't see this as politics, but as history.)

Jumonville

Last edited by BranShea; 01/23/2008 1:52 PM.