A tribute to all things French

[fancytalk]

You Are French Food

Snobby yet ubiquitous. People act like they understand you more than they actually do.

What Kind of Food Are You?

I sat down to type up this list of French words and phrases used in the English language and of course was sidetracked by this quiz. How appropriate the results turned out to be.



This list is shortened from an article in the February 2005 issue of Real Simple entitled It's All Greek to Me

Words You Might Read

Après - (AH-Pray) - after
Bête noire - (bet NWAHR) - A dreaded or detested person or thing.
Enfant Terrible - (on-fon-teh-REE-bleh) - A difficult child; an unconventional or outspoken persosn whose behavior dismays or embarrasses others.

Words You Might Say

Chez - (shay) - At the home of; at or by. Often used with the French word nous (we), meaning "at our home"
Faux Pas - (foe pah) - a social blunder
Vis-à-vis - (VEEZ ah VEE) - Face-to-face with; compared with; in regard to.

Phrases Your Pompous Neighbor Might Say

Bon Mot - (bouh MOE) - A clever remark or witticism
Chacun à son goût - (sha KUHN ahh sauh GOOO) - each to his or her own taste
Éminence Grise - (AY mee Nahns GREEZ) - Someone who wields considerable poser secretly or unofficially, a "power behind the throne"
Je ne sais pas - (jehn say pah) - I don't know
Joie de vivre - (jwa dih VEE vruh) - A hearty enjoyment of life.
Ne plus ultra - (neh ploos UL-trah) - The ultimate, the highest point of achievement or excellence; the most profound degree of a quality or state. Literally, 'no more beyond" This phrase is listed as Latin, but I remember this from French class not Latin class.
Pièce de résistance - (pee ESS dih ray zees TAHNSS) - The prized item in a collection; a cook's signature dish
Raison d'être - (RAY zohn DEH truh) - Reason for being.


I believe I am missing a page. If I find it I will update the list.

Comments

Merci, mon amie.

[yarbiedoll.livejournal.com]

Yay for all things French! Vive la France! The world would be far more boring sans French influence. We wouldn't have repetoires or Brie or film noire. Or fondue (although that's really attributed to the Swiss). Or all be able to sing, Voulez-vous couchez avec moi, ce soir? Or watch Hot Shots: Part Deux. French. C'est magnifique!