Fun with “Foreign Phrases”

Déjà vu: the illusion of experiencing something before (n)Déjà vu: the illusion of experiencing something before (n) Faux pas: a slip in manners or conduct; a social blunder (n)Faux pas: a slip in manners or conduct; a social blunder (n) Bon voyage: an expression of goodwill at the start of a trip or adventure (n)Bon voyage: an expression of goodwill at the start of a trip or adventure (n) E pluribus unum: “out of one, many” US motto (n)E pluribus unum: “out of one, many” US motto (n) Status quo: the existing condition or state of affairs (n)Status quo: the existing condition or state of affairs (n) Carte blanche: complete freedom; no restrictions (n)Carte blanche: complete freedom; no restrictions (n)

Caveat emptor: “let the buyer beware”; buy art at your own risk (n)Caveat emptor: “let the buyer beware”; buy art at your own risk (n) Hoi polloi: the common people; the masses (n)Hoi polloi: the common people; the masses (n) Prima donna: chief female operatic singer; self- important, difficult person (n)Prima donna: chief female operatic singer; self- important, difficult person (n) Alma mater: the school your graduated from (n)Alma mater: the school your graduated from (n) Femme fatale: dangerous woman (n)Femme fatale: dangerous woman (n) Espirit de corps: a feeling of pride, fellowship, and common loyalty shared by the members of a particular group; team spirit (n)Espirit de corps: a feeling of pride, fellowship, and common loyalty shared by the members of a particular group; team spirit (n)

Du jour: “of the day”; something trendy or a temporary item on a menu (adj)Du jour: “of the day”; something trendy or a temporary item on a menu (adj) Tabula rasa: empty slate (adj/n)Tabula rasa: empty slate (adj/n) Cum laude: with honor (adj/adv)Cum laude: with honor (adj/adv) RSVP: please respond (vb)RSVP: please respond (vb) Alpha and omega: the first and the last; beginning and end (n)Alpha and omega: the first and the last; beginning and end (n) Verbatim: word for word; exactly as written or spoken (adj)Verbatim: word for word; exactly as written or spoken (adj)

Avant garde: cutting edge; new; experimental; innovative- especially in the arts (n)Avant garde: cutting edge; new; experimental; innovative- especially in the arts (n) Ad nauseam: to the extreme degree (adv)Ad nauseam: to the extreme degree (adv) Carpe diem: seize the day (vb)Carpe diem: seize the day (vb) Tempus fugit: “time flees” or translated time fliesTempus fugit: “time flees” or translated time flies C est la vie: “that’s life” (n)C est la vie: “that’s life” (n) Bona fide: made in good faith without fraud or deceit (n)Bona fide: made in good faith without fraud or deceit (n)

Savoir faire: capacity for appropriate action; especially : a polished sureness in social behaviorSavoir faire: capacity for appropriate action; especially : a polished sureness in social behavior Non sequitur: a statement (as a response) that does not follow logically from or is not clearly related to anything previously saidNon sequitur: a statement (as a response) that does not follow logically from or is not clearly related to anything previously said Id est: that isId est: that is Enfant terrible:a usually young and successful person who is strikingly unorthodox, innovative, or avant-gardeEnfant terrible:a usually young and successful person who is strikingly unorthodox, innovative, or avant-garde Terra firma: dry land; solid groundTerra firma: dry land; solid ground Vox populi: popular sentimentVox populi: popular sentiment Joie de vivre: love of life; exuberanceJoie de vivre: love of life; exuberance