What about sandbag..?
"buoux"
Bruno Clément's topo for Verdon in Grimper last year is full of good phrases...
“...soi-disent 6c+, mais même 7a+ reste dur!” (about Ctuluh)
“...L1 lunaire pour la cotation” (about Gaffe dans le dos)
“7c+ d'une autre époque”
and simply:
“Cotations sévères”
I should think so... it was Bruno who was belaying me...
Palomides - cruxy 8a+ is NOT a warm-up to me! This was having been directed onto 'the warm up route' for the spot. Hard for the grade would be 'gros 7a+' (or whatever grade). Whether that is now in current use, I can't say.
Grattons are just what you described SA Chris, term originates in 'Bleau afaik.