Fun with “Foreign Phrases”

• Déjà vu: the illusion of experiencing something before (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)

• E pluribus unum: “out of one, many” US motto (n)

• Status quo: the existing condition or state of affairs (n)

• Carte blanche: complete freedom; no restrictions (n)

• Caveat emptor: “let the buyer beware”; buy art at your own risk (n)

• Hoi polloi: the common people; the masses (n)

• Prima donna: chief female operatic singer; self-important, difficult person (n)

• Alma mater: the school your graduated from (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)

• Du jour: “of the day”; something trendy or a temporary item on a menu (adj)

• Tabula rasa: empty slate (adj/n)

• Cum laude: with honor (adj/adv)

• RSVP: please respond (vb)

• Alpha and omega: the first and the last; beginning and end (n)

• Verbatim: word for word; exactly as written or spoken (adj)

• Avant garde: cutting edge; new; experimental; innovative- especially in the arts (n)

• Ad nauseam: to the extreme degree (adv)

• Carpe diem: seize the day (vb)

• Tempus fugit: “time flees” or translated time flies

• C est la vie: “that’s life” (n)

• Bona fide: made in good faith without fraud or deceit (n)

• Savoir 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 said

• Id est: that is

• Enfant terrible:a usually young and successful person who is strikingly unorthodox, innovative, or avant-garde

• Terra firma: dry land; solid ground

• Vox populi: popular sentiment

• Joie de vivre: love of life; exuberance