FRENCH
PHRASES
When
it comes to expressing a grand idea in a few short syllables,
French is second only to Latin as the language of choice.
While it may be not be as precise, French has the ability
to make you sound infinitely more genteel. |
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FRENCH
PHRASES
Key: The word's language of origin appears directly below it, and to the right of that is an example sentence and an etymology, along with any related themes.
Word |
Phonetic Pronunciation |
Part of Speech |
Definition |
enfant terrible
French |
ahn-FAHN ter-EE-bluh |
noun |
1. a child whose inopportune remarks cause embarrassment
2. a person known for shocking comments or outrageous behavior
3. a usu. young and successful person who is strikingly unorthodox
or innovative |
Ex.
Rel. Themes: |
Five years ago, Napster founder Sean Fanning
was the enfant terrible of the
file-sharing business.
French Phrases | High-Falutin' Insults | There's A Word For That? | Words That Impress
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esprit d’escalier
French |
eh-SPREE des-kal-i-YE |
noun |
a witty remark thought of too late |
Etym.
Rel. Themes: |
From the notion that one thinks of the perfect
remark on his way out (literally, “wit of the staircase”).
French Phrases | There's A Word For That? | Words That Impress
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no-BLESS uh-BLEEZH |
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the obligation of those of high rank to be honorable and
generous to those of lower status |
Ex.
Etym.
Rel. Themes: |
John D. Rockefeller believed that noblesse
oblige was the price of great wealth.
French for “nobility obligates”
French Phrases | There's A Word For That?
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sanz-koo-LOT |
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1. an extreme radical republican in France at the time of
the Revolution
2. a radical or violent extremist in politics |
Ex.
Etym.
Rel. Themes: |
These days, it is not uncommon to hear about
a group of sansculottes taking
over a school or other public building to wring concessions
from their government.
French for "without culottes (knee breeches),"
from the fact that radical republicans in the French Revolution,
usually from the poorer Third Estate, did not wear culottes.
French Phrases | There's A Word For That?
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