It’s quite incredible just how much languages overlap! As people travel more and cultures blend together, ‘foreign’ words and expression are exchanged and adopted. Its natural to hear “ciao” outside of Italy as a form of greeting or parting and “bon appetit” is commonly heard outside of France as a salutation before eating a meal.
Here are ten French words and expressions frequently used in the English language:
Apéritif – before meal drink.
Blasé – unimpressed by something because of over familiarity.
Chic – stylish.
Concierge – a receptionist at a hotel.
Entrepreneur – a person who undertakes a new enterprise.
Bourgeois – commonly used as a derogatory term to describe a person or group of people whose character and habits are perceived as conventionally middle class.
Lingerie – female underwear.
Voyeur – literally means someone who sees. The English equivalent is a “Peeping Tom”.
Piste – a trail or track.
Faux pas – A violation of accepted social rules, literally means a false step.
