je ne sais quoi
zhuh´ nuh say KWAH´ (archaic French, ‘I don’t know what’) The term je ne sais quoi refers to an intangible, elusive quality, especially a pleasing one, that is difficult to […]
French
au contraire
oh´ cohn-TRAIR´ (French, ‘on the contrary’) Au contraire is used in English to disagree in a snobby way. Nadine said Carol was a slob. Au contraire! Yesterday she came to […]
papier peint
pop´-ee-yay PAN´ Papier peint is simply ‘wallpaper’ in French, but when used in English, the term usually refers to wallpaper that’s hand painted, block printed, antique, or otherwise rare and […]
verre églomisé
VEHR´ ay´-gloh-mee-ZAY´ Verre églomisé is glass that’s been decorated on the reverse side with paint and gold (or silver) leaf. The verre églomisé process results in a gleaming, luxurious finish […]
haricots verts
AHR´-ee-coh VEHR´ Haricots verts is French for ‘green beans’ in general, although the term is usually only applied to green beans that conform to French tastes: young, narrow, and with […]
petits pois
puh-TEE´ PWAH´ (French, ‘small peas’) While the term petits pois means ‘small peas,’ in French, the French people use the term to describe ‘peas’ in general, since they refuse to […]
off-piste
off-peest´ Off-piste refers to being off an established ski run and skiing, instead, on a slope that’s unmarked, unsupervised, and unmaintained. In regular English, this is called skiing the ‘backcountry.’ […]
parterre
par-TEHR´ A parterre is a flat garden terrace composed of various elements (which may include paths, fountains, shrubs, and flower beds) that form a symmetrical design. A parterre is best […]
faux pas
foe PAW´ (French, ‘false step’) A faux pas is an embarrassing social mistake or a breach of manners or good conduct. Using the wrong fork at a formal dinner is […]
badinage
bad-uh-NAHZH´ Badinage is good-natured verbal sparring, or teasing that fails to cross the line into actual insult (though it may come close). Synonyms include ribbing, joshing, banter, and raillery. Other […]