Foreign Words and Phrases

1. Foreign Words and Phrases

2. RSVP • French abbreviation for please reply • You often see these on invitations. • “To come to the party, RSVP by Friday.”

3. Deja Vu • French for already seen • The feeling that something that is happening right now has happened in the past • “Seeing that cat gave me a feeling of déjà vu.”

4. Faux Pas • French for false step • a social blunder; an error in etiquette; a tactless remark or act • “Wearing white after Labor Day used to be a fashion faux pas.”

5. Du Jour • French for of the day • Something prepared for a particular day • “What is today’s soup du jour?”

6. Bon Voyage • French for good journey • have a good trip; used to express farewell • “All the passengers on the cruise ship were telling each other ‘bon voyage!’”

7. Alma Mater • Latin for good mother • the school you graduated from or attended • “Mr. McGee’s alma mater is Central Michigan University.”

8. Cum Laude • Latin for with honor; with high honor • 3rd highest level of achievement in school • “To graduate cum laude from high school is a great accomplishment.”

9. Femme Fatale • French for a woman who is considered to be dangerously seductive who leads men astray • Often found in literature • “The movie Basic Instinct is a classic femme fatale tale.”

10. Esprit de Corps • French for a spirit of union and honor; the Spirit of the group that makes members want to succeed; team spirit or morale. • Often used when referring to the military. • A platoon’s esprit de corps is important in the efficiency of the unit.

11. Verbatim • Latin for word for word • using exactly the same words • “He had seen the movie so much, he could repeat many scenes verbatim.”

12. E Pluribus Unum • Latin for one out of many • used on several U.S. coins and the Great Seal of the United States • “The term E Pluribus Unum is a key phrase in a democracy.”