Hello lerner55-ga ,
Thank you for your question.
“Over the years, the English language has borrowed a great number of
words and expressions from French. Some of this vocabulary has been so
completely absorbed by English that speakers might not realize its
origins. Other words and expressions have retained their "Frenchness."
You can see a list of over one hundred of these words at the direct
link at about.com http://french.about.com/library/bl-frenchinenglish-list.htm?PM=ss14_french
“French has also given English scores of words in the domains of
ballet and cooking. The literal meanings of the French words are in
parentheses.
Ballet terms: barre (bar), chaîné (chained), chassé (chased),
développé (developed), effacé (shaded), pas de deux (two step),
pirouette (turn), plié (bent), relevé (lifted)....
Cooking terms: blanch (from blanchir => to bleach), sauté (fried over
high heat), fondue (melted), purée (crushed), flambée (burned)”
Source: About.com
http://french.about.com/library/bl-frenchinenglish-list.htm?PM=ss14_french
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From The American Association of Teachers of French:
“This list features words and phrases that most English speakers know,
use, and recognize as French words. (..) Occasionally the English
usage has resulted in a change of spelling, loss of an accent, or even
a change of meaning.”
People
fiancé
fiancée
divorcé
divorcée
attaché (used by the press and by diplomats)
chauffeur
valet
aide-de-camp
madam
gourmet
maître d’
idiot savant
concierge
entourage
connoisseur (spelled with an o)
liaison
protegé
nouveau riche
chef
Characteristics
nonchalant
adroit
maladroit
blasé
banal
de luxe
gauche
chic
bizarre
suave
svelte
Food and Drink
éclair
champagne
buffet
hors d’œuvres
petit fours
canapés
omelette
meringue
soufflé
pâté
Hollandaise sauce
gateau
French cuisine
Nouvelle Cuisine
quiche
escargots
sauté
piece de résistance
filet
foie gras
croissants
café au lait
cordon bleu
fromage frais
apéritif
sorbet
à la mode
au jus
Things
attaché case
chaise lounge
eau de cologne
lingerie
coupe
suite
critique
matériel (military)
bidet
coup d’état
exposé
cause célèbre
cliché
sabotage
camouflage
espionnage
facade
detente
Expressions
Au contraire!
C’est la vie.
déjà vu
R.S.V.P.
rendez-vous
tête-à-tête
ménage à trois
faux pas
gaffe
double entendre
rapport
passé
joie de vivre
in lieu of
vis-à-vis
de rigueur
en route
lèse-majesté
raison d’être
tour de force
crème de la crème
milieu
savoir-faire
sang-froid
en masse
art deco
art nouveau
cachet
fête
et voilà
à la
bête noire
mélange
fait accompli
cavalier
moiré
bon mot
laisser faire
patois
potpourri
naïveté
fin de siècle
brouhaha
en route
Places
chalet
pied-à-terre
bureau
bistro
salon
boutique
Source:The American Association of Teachers of French
http://frenchteachers.org/nfw/activities/nfwactiv.htm
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Here are two more lists from “Loan Words and Where They Come From”:
Modern French: http://www.wordorigins.org/loanword.htm#Modern%20French
Old French: http://www.wordorigins.org/loanword.htm#Old%20French
Word Origins: Loan Words
http://www.wordorigins.org/loanword.htm
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Here are some examples of French phrases used by English speakers from
Wikipedia:.
http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_phrases_used_by_English_speakers
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Additional information that may interest you:
“During the Norman occupation, about 10,000 French words were adopted
into English, some three-fourths of which are still in use today. This
French vocabulary is found in every domain, from government and law to
art and literature.”
http://french.about.com/library/bl-frenchinenglish.htm?PM=ss14_french
These books may interest you as well:
Le Mot Juste: A Dictionary of Classical & Foreign Words & Phrases
by John Buchanan-Brown
“Simply and concisely, it clarifies hundreds of words and phrases from
Greek, Latin, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, and Yiddish
that have become part of the English language but are often confused
or misused.”
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0679734554/qid=1054512866/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-9530618-6050433?v=glance&s=books
Foreignisms: A Dictionary of Foreign Expressions Commonly Used in
English by Ted Tuleja, Tad Tuleja, Thaddeus F. Tuleja
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0020380208/qid=1054513327/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-9530618-6050433?v=glance&s=books
Search Criteria:
French words used in English
French phrases used by English speakers
English words from French
I hope this information helps you with your research. If anything is
unclear please request clarification and I'll be glad to offer further
assistance before you rate my answer and close the question.
Best Regards,
Bobbie7-ga |
