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What does “nickel” mean in French slang?

Nickel is one of the handiest informal French words: it means perfect, spotless, all set. C’est nickel covers a clean kitchen, a plan that works, or a quick “I’m great” when someone asks comment ça va. It is named after the silvery metal — the idea is something so polished it shines like nickel-chrome. The word stays invariable, never adding an -e or -s, so it is as low-maintenance to use as it sounds.

It reportedly comes from soldiers keeping weapons buffed to a mirror shine, and has meant “squeaky clean” since the early 1900s. You will hear the campy stretch nickel chrome for emphasis. It sits in a whole family of upbeat replies the clip rattles off — impeccable, au top, ça roule — that French speakers reach for instead of a plain “ça va.”