The English language has grown over the centuries, both by incorporating words from other languages and by creating neologisms (“new words”) as times change and new concepts and ideas are developed. We’ve discussed in the past how many English words can be traced back to their Latin or Greek roots, or how words that originally were “foreign” are now so widely used in English that we consider them to be English words. For example, did you know that the words entrepreneur, police, visible, and question are all French words? They’ve been part of our spoken English language for so long, we don’t even think about their origin.

For centuries, the mark of an educated person was his or her ability to speak more than one language. In England, it was assumed that well-born men (and sometimes women) could speak both English and French; if they had attended university, they would be able to speak, or at least read, ancient Latin and Greek, and if they had traveled after university they were expected to pick up a little Italian or Spanish as well. If you read literature that was written in England anywhere between 1750 and 1950, you’ll notice the casual use of French phrases in the text and dialogue – it was assumed that the reader, if they were educated enough to be reading a book, would be able to translate for themselves.

These days, it’s still a sign of education and sophistication to be able to hold a conversation in a second language. Even if you’re not fluent in any language but English, you’ll need to recognize and be able to use, and correctly pronounce, the foreign terms and phrases that remain part of professional, literary, and conversational English vocabulary.

Today, we’ll start out by looking at several terms that are related to food and fashion. As you might imagine, many of these words are French:  France has long been the center of elegance and culture in the Western world, and French fashion has influenced the vocabulary of art and style. Practice using these words at your next dinner party, and be sure you’re comfortable with the pronunciation.

faux pas (foh PAH)
A mistake, usually in social situations.
Example: Many American tourists are not aware that it is a faux pas to blow one’s nose in public in Japan.

nom de plume (NOHM duh PLOOM)
A “pen name,” or the name a writer uses instead of his or her own when publishing works.
Example: The 19th-century English writer Mary Ann Evans is better known by her nom de plume, George Eliot.

au gratin (aw GRAHtahn)
Baked with a topping of cheese and/or breadcrumbs.
Example: I like the crispy clams au gratin served at that restaurant, but my sister prefers the clam chowder.

de rigueur (duh reeGUHR)
Required in order to fit in per social custom or fashion; necessary.
Example: It is considered de rigueur for men to wear a suit and tie for the captain’s welcoming dinner on this cruise.