English IForeign Words and Phrases1D
Here are some common words and phrases used in English that actually come from foreign languages.
ad nauseam - endlessly, to the point of nausea. (Latin: to sickness)
The teacher talked about his personal life ad nauseam, so we never learned a thing about science.
alma mater - the school from which one graduates. (Latin: nurturing mother)
My mother expects me to go to St Edwards because that is her alma mater.
alpha and omega - the first and last; beginning and end (Greek: first and last letters of the alphabet)
The strategy to control inflation remains the alpha and omega of the government’s economic policy.
avant-garde - cutting edge; new; experimental; innovative--especially in the arts (French: advance guard)
The artist’s painting was so avant-garde that only the hipsters liked it.
bonappetit- used as a salutation to a person about to eat. (French: good appetite)
When the waiter brought our food, he said “bon appetit” before leaving, which made us feel fancy.
bon voyage - an organized expression of goodwill at the start of a trip or new venture. (French: good voyage)
As the boat sailed away, I yelled “bon voyage” at my parents to wish them well on their 2nd honeymoon.
bona fide - made or carried out in good faith; genuine; sincere. (Latin: with good faith)
This is a bona fide pair of Adidas, not like Mark’s four-stripe “Adidums” from that knock-off store.
carpe diem - enjoy the day, take the opportunity. (Latin: seize the day)
I think I should go skydiving. Life’s too short to be boring. Carpe diem! Let’s go!
carte blanche - unrestricted power to act at one's own discretion; complete freedom (French: blank paper)
Edward Snowden proved that the NSA seems to have a carte blanche ability to read any emails it wants.
caveat emptor - the principle that the seller of a product cannot be held responsible for its quality unless it is guaranteed in a warranty. (Latin: buyer beware)
Because the computer store had a caveat emptor agreement, I couldn’t get a refund for my broken computer.
c'est la vie - such is life – said when a situation can’t be helped or changed. (French: that's life)
When my car ran out of gas, rather than get angry, I just said “c’est la vie” and walked to the gas station.
cum laude–used to express academic distinction – honors – high grades. (Latin: with honor)
My parents were surprised when I graduated college cum laude, because I made bad grades in high school.
déjà vu - the illusion of having previously experienced something actually being encountered for the first time. (French: already seen)
I got the weirdest sense of déjà vu just now. I could swear I’ve been here before, but I know I haven’t.
du jour - 1. as prepared on the particular day; of the kind being served today. (French: of the day)
When I asked the waiter for soup, he said “The soup du jour is butternut squash.”
E pluribus unum - out of many, one [motto of the U.S. found on U.S. money] (Latin: out of many, one)
(This is not really used in speech – but everyone knows what it means and it’s on our money)
faux pas–(pronounced fōpah) a slip or blunder in etiquette, manners, or conduct (French: false step)
The senator made a major faux pas when she tried to shake the president’s hand with her left hand
quid pro quo – a favor in exchange for something in return. (Latin: something for something)
I’ll do your laundry, but… quid pro quo. You have to walk my dog.
status quo - the existing condition or state of affairs (Latin: the state in which)
The substitute did not understand that the status quo was for us to read our books at the beginning of class.
tabula rasa - a mind not yet affected by experiences, impressions, etc; anything existing undisturbed in its original pure state. (Latin: blank slate)
Many students are a tabula rasa when it comes to social justice issues because they don’t watch the news.
tete a tete –a private conversation between two people. (French: head to head)
The teacher had a tete a tete with the troublesome student, and he acted really nice after that.
verbatim - in exactly the same words; word for word (Latin: word)
Because the student copied his partner’s paper verbatim, the teacher easily knew he’d cheated.