A winnar is you, Matt ! Next thread, please… :)
]]>The non-bowdlerised version of 'systeme d' (demerde rather than debrouille) is the most-commonly understood, and could be fairly translated as jury rigging, ie make do with whatever's at hand, starting under adverse circumstances. One has to be in it before they get to 'demerde' oneself (literally get yourself out of shit).
Debrouille, which means literally un-muddle/untangle also means manage/get by, but doesn't necessarily carry the subtext of "having to", and could apply equally well to 'cutting corners' or 'hacking' in the broadest sense.
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