Commonly Used Foreign Words and Phrases

1. Commonly Used Foreign Words and Phrases

2. RSVP • Used on an invitation to indicate that the favor of a reply is requested • Don’t forget to RSVP before Thursday. • from the French phrase “repondez s’il vous plait”

3. déjà vu • The illusion of having previously experienced something actually being encountered for the first time; disagreeable familiarity or sameness • This season of CSI had a sense of déjà vu about it—the same old plots and characters with new names.

4. faux pas • A slip or blunder in etiquette, manners, or conduct; an embarrassing social blunder or indiscretion • He committed a social faux pas when he asked her when her baby was due, since she wasn’t pregnant.

5. du jour • As prepared on the particular day; of the kind being served today: du = of, jour = day • The soup du jour is split pea.

6. bon voyage • To have a pleasant trip. • Bon voyage, mom!

7. alma mater • a school, college, or university at which one has studied and, usually, from which one has graduated • I went a football game at my alma mater, MTSU. Latin

8. cum laude • An academic honor given at graduation (Magna cum laude: with high honors) (Summa cum laude: the highest academic distinction) • She graduated magna cum laude from MTSU. Latin

9. femme fatale • An irresistibly attractive woman, especially one who leads men into difficult, dangerous, or disastrous situations; a siren • Angelina Jolie is a true femme fatale.

10. esprit de corps • a sense of unity and of common interests and responsibilities, as developed among a group of persons closely associated in a task, cause, or enterprise, etc. • Participation in community service improves the group’s esprit de corps.

11. verbatim • in exactly the same words; word for word • This is a verbatim recording of the proceedings. Latin

12. E pluribus unum • out of many, one • E pluribus unum was adopted as the national motto for the United States in 1776. Latin

13. prima donna • a first or principal female singer of an opera company; a temperamental person; a person who takes adulation and privileged treatment as a right and reacts with petulance to criticism or inconvenience • Valerie is the prima donna of our school’s senior play this year. Italian

14. avant-garde • the advance group in any field, especially in the visual, literary, or musical arts, whose works are characterized chiefly by unorthodox and experimental methods • She is very avant-garde in her fashion sense.

15. status quo • the existing state or condition • People with money are often satisfied with the status quo.

16. joie de vivre • a delight in being alive; keen, carefree enjoyment of living • She displays a true joie de vivre.

17. carte blanche • Unconditional authority; full discretionary power • He exercises his carte blanche frequently.

18. caveat emptor • Let the buyer beware: the principle that the seller of a product cannot be held responsible for its quality unless it is guaranteed in a warranty • On the web, the advice “caveat emptor” has never been more true.

19. alpha and omega • the beginning and the end of something; the first and last letter of the Greek alphabet • In her opinion, shopping is the alpha and the omega. Greek

20. tabula rasa • a mind not yet affected by experiences, impressions, etc…, anything existing undisturbed in its original, pure state • John Locke believed that a child’s mind was a tabula rasa. Latin

21. hoi polloi • the common people; the masses; (often preceded by the) • The hoi polloi think that Mr. Nolan is the best principal in the county. Greek

22. ad nauseam • to a sickening or disgusting degree • We have heard about the housing crisis ad nauseam. Latin

23. carpe diem • Seize the day; enjoy the present, as opposed to placing all hope in the future • It’s a beautiful day, Carpe diem! Latin

24. tempus fugit • Time flies • Tempus fugit when you’re having fun. Latin

25. c’ est la vie • To express a philosophical acceptance of the way things are: “That’s Life” • Suzanne’s response to her job loss was, “C’est la vie.”

26. bona fide • made, done, presented, in good faith; without deception or fraud; authentic; true • The museum has a bona fide sample of Lincoln’s handwriting. Latin

27. savoir faire • Having the knowledge of just what to do in any situation; tact • At the fancy restaurant, Chip realized that he lacked the savior-faire to use all of the silverware correctly.

28. non sequitur • an inference or a conclusion that does not follow from the premises; a statement containing an illogical conclusion • We had been discussing plumbing, so her remark about astrology was a real non sequitur. Latin

29. id est • that is to say; in other words • I’m going to the place where I work best, i.e., the coffee shop. Latin

30. enfant terrible • An incorrigible child, as one whose behavior is embarrassing An outrageously outspoken or bold person who says and does indiscreet or irresponsible things • The spoiled child was enfant terrible.

31. terra firma • Firm or solid earth or dry land (as opposed to water or air) • After our stormy voyage, we were relieved to set foot on terra firma. Latin

32. vox populi • the voice of the people; popular opinion • The speaker’s address received hardly a whisper from the vox populi. Latin

33. ad hoc • concerned or dealing with a specific subject, purpose, or end • After a tornado swept through the school, an ad hoc group of parents was formed to assist in the repairs. Latin

34. cause celebre • Any controversy that attracts public attention • The booster’s fund raising techniques was a cause celebre this summer.

35. magnum opus • a great work • Beowulf was someone’s magnum opus. Latin

36. persona non grata • an unwelcome or unacceptable person • He has become persona non grata in our club. Latin

37. quid pro quo • One thing in return for another • The Chinese may make some concessions on trade, but they will no doubt demand a quid pro quo, so we must also be prepared to make concessions. Latin

38. je ne sais quoi • an indefinable quality that makes somebody or something more attractive or interesting • She has a certain je ne sais quoi that charms everyone.

39. modus operandi • a method or way of doing of something • Her modus operandi in buying a new car always included a month of research. Latin

40. nom de plume • a naming word; a word or group of words used as the name of a class or people, places, or things, or of a specific person, place, or thing • Samuel Clemens noun de plume is Mark Twain.

41. haute couture • top fashion; exclusive and expensive clothing made for an individual customer by a fashion designer, or the industry that produces such clothing • The I-Phone is a “must have” to techies everywhere – hot technology meets haute couture.

42. mea culpa • expressing guilt or fault; used to express an admission of your own guilt • I gave you the wrong directions to my house – mea culpa. Latin

43. raison d’etre • the reason for being; underlying principle • The entire school knew that Coach Davis’ students were his raison d'être.

44. laissez faire • principle of no regulation of industry; principle that the economy works best if private industry is not regulated and markets are free • People who support a laissez faire system are against minimum wages, duties, and any other trade restrictions.

45. bete noire • somebody or something that is particularly disliked • Speed traps have always been bête noire of all drivers.

46. en masse • in a group; as a body • The senior class of 2012 cheered en masse at the pep rally.

47. in absentia • while absent; in the absence of the person or persons concerned • The man was tried and convicted in absentia. Latin

48. sub rosa • Confidentially; secretly; privately • The meeting was held sub rosa, due to the sensitive nature of its content. Latin

49. schadenfreude • gloating at somebody else’s bad luck; smug or malicious pleasure taken in somebody else’s misfortune • To feel envy is human, to savor schadenfreude is devilish. German

50. noblesse oblige • notion of aristocratic responsibilities; the idea that people born into the nobility or upper social classes must behave in an honorable and generous way toward those less privileged • The Queen’s sense of noblisse oblige was evident in her time spent at the shelter.