Foreign Words And Phrases Flashcards
Alma mater
The school college or university that somebody formerly attended; a song used as the anthem of a school college or university
Alpha and omega
The beginning and end; the most important part
Avant-garde
Artistically new or a person with new ideas and methods for doing something
Bon voyage
Used to wish somebody an enjoyable and safe trip
Carte Blanche
Free license to do what one wishes; freedom of action
Caveat emptor
“Buyer beware” a warning to a purchaser that he or she can have no recourse to the law if due care is not exercised in making a purchase
Cum lauds
With academic honors or distinction; also manga cum laude (great honors) summa cum laude (highest honors)
Déjà vu
A feeling of having experienced something before although in fact it is the first time that it has been experienced; anything that is overly familiar or unoriginal
Du jour
Offered or served today being the latest in a series sequence or trend
E pluribus unum
One out of many ( motto of US)
Esprit de corps
A feeling of pride in belonging to a group and a sense of identification with it or team spirit
Faux pas
An embarrassing mistake that breaks a social convention
Femme fatale
A woman who is considered to be highly attractive and to have a destructive effect on those who succumb to her charms
Hoi polloi
Ordinary people as opposed to the wealthy well educated and cultivated elite the common herd or the masses
Joie de vivre
Exuberance energy and love of life general enthusiasm for living
Prima Donna
Lead female opera singer or someone who is difficult to deal with someone who is vain over sensitive or temperamental
RSVP
Used on an invitation to request a response to it “reply if you please”
Status quo
The way things are right now the existing state of affairs
Tabula rasa
An opportunity to make a clean break or a fresh start a blank mind or anything in a pristine state
Verbatim
Word for word with something else in the exact words
Ad nauseam
To an extreme or annoying extent
