👉 Matelotage is a term used in French literature and culture to describe a character who has no family or social connections, but instead lives by their own rules and desires. The phrase comes from the Latin word "matilota," which means "self-made" or "one who earns his bread." In French literature, matelotage is often associated with characters who are independent, self-sufficient, and have no need for social approval or validation. In French literature, a matel