Commonly Used Foreign Words and Phrases (DEF) Flashcards
Definition
RSVP
Used on an invitation to indicate that the favor of a reply is requested
déjà vu
Psychology; the illusion of having previously experienced something actually being encountered for the first time; disagreeable familiarity or sameness
faux pas
A slip or blunder in etiquette, manners, or conduct; an embarrassing social blunder or indiscretion
Du Jour
As prepared on the particular day; of the kind being served today: du = of, jour = day
Bon Voyage
Have a pleasant trip
alma mater
a school, college, or university at which one has studied and, usually, from which one has graduated
Cum Laude
An Academic honor given @ graduation
(Magna cum laude: with high honors)
(Summa cum laude: the highest academic distinction)
Femme Fatale
An irresistibly attractive woman, especially one who leads men into difficult, dangerous, or disastrous situations; a siren
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.
Verbatim
in exactly the same words; word for word
“To repeat something verbatim”
-Adverb
Corresponding word for word to the original - Adjective
E pluribus unum
Out of many, one
(motto of U.S)
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
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
Status Quo
The existing state or condition
joie de vivre
a delight in being alive; keen, carefree enjoyment of living
Carte Blanche
Unconditional authority; full discretionary power
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
Alpha and Omega
the beginning and the end of something (Revelation 1:8); the first and last letter of the Greek alphabet
tabula rasa
a mind not yet affected by experiences, impressions, etc…, anything existing undisturbed in its original, pure state
hoi polloi
the common people; the masses; (often preceded by the)
Ad nauseam
to a sickening or disgusting degree
Carpe diem
Seize the day; enjoy the present, as opposed to placing all hope in the future
tempus fugit
Time Flies
c’est la vie
express philosophical acceptance of the way things are: “That’s Life”
Bona Fide
made, done, presented, etc.…, in good faith; Without deception or fraud; Authentic; True
savoir faire
knowledge of just what to do in any situation; tact
non sequitur
an inference or a conclusion that does not follow from the premises; a statement containing an illogical conclusion
Id est
That is to say; in other words (i.e.)
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
3.A person whose work, thought, or lifestyle is so unconventional or avant-garde as to appear revolutionary or shocking
terra firma
Firm or solid earth or Dry land (as opposed to water or air)
Vox Populi
the voice of the people; popular opinion
ad hoc
Adverb: For the present purpose or end presently under consideration
Adjective: Concerned or dealing with a specific subject, purpose, or end
Cause Celebre
Any controversy that attracts public attention
magnum opus
A great work
persona non grata
An unwelcome or unacceptable person
Quid pro quo
One thing in return for another
Je ne sais quoi
an indefinable quality that makes somebody or something more attractive or interesting
modus operandi
A method or way of doing something
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
Haute couture
top fashion; exclusive and expensive clothing made for an individual customer by a fashion designer, or the industry that produces such clothing
mea culpa
expressing guilt or fault; used to express an admission of your own guilt
raison d’etre
the reason for being; underlying principle
laissez faire
principle of no regulation of industry; principle that the economy works best if private industry is not regulated and markets are free
bete noire
somebody/thing that is particularly disliked
en masse
in a group; as a body
in absentia
while absent; in the absence of the person or persons concerned
Sub rosa
Confidentially; secretly; privately
schadenfreude
gloating at somebody else’s bad luck; smug or malicious pleasure taken in somebody else’s misfortune
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
sine qua non
an essential condition or prerequisite
deus ex machina
god who resolves plot; in ancient Greek and Roman theater, a god introduced to resolve a complicated plot
doppelganger
double or mirror image
coup d’etat
seizure of political power; the sudden violent overthrow of a government and seizure of political power, especially by the military
