A bit of French fancies up the writing
When you want a character to sound pretentious, nothing
beats a nice turn of French. Somehow, American writers (and readers)
associate all things French with money, pretense, and culture. It’s
quite the mix of responses, a
“love-hate” relationship with France. If you want a character
with class, or one completely without class, French is a wonderful tool.
– Words and Phrases –
affaire de coeur – love affair
au contraire – to the contrary
au fait – possessing practical knowledge of a thing
au revoir – until we meet again
autre temps, autres moeurs – other times, other customs
avec plaisir – with pleasure
bête noire – a thing especially disliked
bon jour – good day; hello
bon soir – goodnight
bourgeoisie – middle-class, materialistic
c’est-à-dire – that is to say
c’est la vie – such is life
chacun à son goût – each to his own taste
coup de grâce – death blow
coûte que coûte – cost what it cost
dégagé – without emotional links
de trop – too much or too many
dernier ressort – last option
Dieu avec nous – God is with us
Dieu défend le droit – God defends the right
en plein jour – In full daylight; openly
en rapport – in sympathy
fait accompli – accomplished fact; finished act
femme de chambre – chambermaid
fête champêtre – outdoor festival
gardez la foi – keep the faith
grand monde – world at large; refined society
honi soit qui mal y pense – evil be with him who has evil thoughts
ici on parle français – French is spoken here
jeu de mots – play on words; a pun
jeu d’esprit – play of wit
j’y suis, j’y reste – here I am, here I stay
le roi est mort, vive le roi – The king is dead, long live the king.
le style, c’est l’homme – the style is the man
mise en scène – setting; environment; the stage
mon ami – my friend; my love (friendly)
n’est ce pas? – isn’t that so?
nom de guerre – assumed name
objet d’art – object of art
peu de chose – a small matter
pièce de résistance – the primary event; main reason; principal meal
pis aller – last resort
quand même – nevertheless; nonetheless
qui s’excuse, s’accuse – he who excuses himself, accuses himself
raison d’état – for the good of the country
raison d’être – reason for being
sans peur et sans reproche – without fear, without reproach
sans souci – carefree
tant mieux, tant pis – so much the better, so much the worse
voilà – look or see