Literal Translation
The lake isn’t on fire!
Actual Meaning
There’s no rush!
Etymology
This Swiss expression is apparently an extension of a humorous expression in the standard French phrase ‘il n’y a pas le feu’ (there’s no fire). Typically Swiss French, this expression arrived in the mid-19th century on the shores of Lake Geneva. Used outside Switzerland, it is pronounced with a drawling inflection that represents a humorous feature of the ‘Swiss accent’. What’s more, the absurdity of a lake catching fire reinforces the mocking tone. However, Lake Geneva can give the impression of ‘catching fire’ when it is tinged with magnificent orange colours due to the reflections of the setting sun. According to a popular explanation, as long as the lake does not catch fire, the day is not over, so there is no need to rush. It was the natural clock for workers on the land bordering Lake Geneva.
PS: TIL Lac Léman is called Lake Geneva in English…