The meaning and etymology of "histoire de" / "histoire que"?

Question

Two constructions I've often seen used in French are *histoire de* and *histoire que*, for example:> Je me promène dans la rue, **histoire de** passer le temps. > Tu n'as qu'à amener du vin, **histoire que** tout le monde soit satisfait.From an answer given to this question, I think I've figured out that these two constructions are basically the same expression, but *histoire de* is used when followed by an infinitive, whereas *histoire que* is used when followed by a verb phrase; in English these roughly translate to "just to [...]" and "just so that [...]". Therefore, the translations of the above examples are:> I stroll down the street, **just to** pass the time. > You only have to bring some wine, **just so that** everyone will be satisfied.Am I right in my above reasoning?And what do these constructions really mean? Also, how did they come to mean what they do in contemporary French? They seem rather random.

Answer 1

HI,

yes, your reasoning is correct.

As far as the meaning of these two expressions is concerned, you can look at it as a person giving a reason or an explanation why he/she does that action, without having been asked.

Je me promene dans la rue...... (somebody could ask: Why?) but the answer is given before the question and "it is just a simple reason, using the time, nothing critical, I just had that in mind...."

Similar explanation for the wine.

Hope this helps,

Alain