I encountered le bitume and the related word bitumineux in L’Ami d’Enfance de Maigret. Le bitume means asphalt, and bitumineux is the related adjective. For some reason these two words have stuck in my brain. I think I just like the way they sound.

Another word from that book that has stuck is rouquin, which can be both a noun or an adjective and means redhead (or ginger, if you’re from the UK). The feminine form is rouquine. One of the suspects in L’Ami d’Enfance de Maigret is described as rouquin, and the word also came up in my film class on Tuesday night. I think the word tends to be rather familiar, like carrot-top.