libretto
luh-BRET´-oh (Italian, ‘little book’) Libretto refers to the words that are sung or spoken in musical works for the theater, including operas, operettas, and oratorios. The author of these words […]
Word Archive
intermezzo
in-ter-METS´-oh (‘interlude’ in Italian) Historically, an intermezzo is any short entertainment, dance, or musical piece performed between the acts of a play or an opera. Today the term is generally […]
après-ski
ap´-ray-SKEE´ (French for ‘after-ski’) Après-ski describes the activities in which skiers participate after a day (or morning, or afternoon) on the slopes, or pistes. More broadly, après-ski refers to any […]
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.’ […]
prewar apartment
A prewar apartment is a unit in a type of elegant apartment building constructed in New York City prior to 1941, the year the U.S. entered World War II. Prewar […]
duplex
DOO´-plecks In flyover country, a duplex is a two-family home, usually divided down the center, and often rather downscale. But in larger cities, especially New York, a duplex is an […]
belvedere
BELL´-vuh-deer A belvedere is a garden structure, often in classical style, that provides a pleasant view. We decided to put the wedding cake in the belvedere, since it has the […]
folly
FALL´-ee A folly is a decorative and often extravagant garden structure. Follies, which are meant to catch the eye and accentuate the landscape, are often built to resemble historic or […]
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 […]