I tried googling this to see if I was missing some reference or something and it led to strange google behavior I've never seen before... When I search "je ne suis pas français, chappeau" without the quotation marks, Google automatically changes the French to English in the search bar when I hit the search button.
Anyone else experienced this? For what possible fucking purpose would that exist?
I didn't get that behavior, but no significant result to explain the expression either.
But on the topic of weird behaviors, try to get copilot or meta AI to make a sign or an image for you with a phrase in a different language than your own.
They always translate it, I can't get them to keep the exact text at all.
Huh, this is an interesting intercultural communiaction trap.
In my area, this is just used as a shorthand/slang/idiom for "nice, i respect that" or in place of a nod or "thank you"
Edit: i should add, that as far as i know, a chappeau is a type of cap or hat? Right? have to google that.
edit2: yes, a hat. The origin of the use I know for it is probably a salute where you touch your finger or hand to the hat, or lifting the hat.
Here saying "hat" seems to be enough :D