Et voilá!

No need to pardon our French! We use these expressions every day

Image: Etienne Girardet

Did you know you’re probably speaking French without even realizing it? That’s right! From wine to wardrobes, French and its elegance have slipped into our everyday conversations, with words and expressions that make us feel très sophisticated. If you’ve ever met a sommelier, or if you’ve bought a prêt-à-porter item for that special summer holiday, these French words have had your back without you even noticing. Let’s explore these borrowed terms, uncover their origins, and see how they’ve seamlessly blended into our English chatter. Grab your beret, it’s time to feel fancy!

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Ever wondered who that poised, polished person recommending wine at a fancy restaurant is? That’s your sommelier: A wine expert whose job is to make you look like a connoisseur without lifting a finger.

The word comes from Old French, originally referring to someone who managed wine supplies. These days, it’s all about pairing your steak with the perfect cabernet. Who doesn’t love a nice pairing? Cheers to that, or to put it better, santé!

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What’s purple, pear-shaped, and sounds way fancier in French? The aubergine, of course! While Americans call it eggplant, the French (and British too) stick with "aubergine," a word derived from Arabic and filtered through French.

It’s a favorite in dishes like ratatouille, making it a star of French cuisine. Even if you’re not a fan of its slightly spongy texture, you have to admit the name gives it an air of culinary sophistication. Saying "aubergine" instead of "eggplant" just makes you feel fancier, don’t you think?

Image: Camille Brodard

We don’t know about you, but this one puts a smile on us just when reading it. A "boutique" isn’t just any old shop; it’s a small, stylish space brimming with unique finds.

The word literally means "shop" in French, but here, it’s used to describe those cozy little stores that make you want to browse for hours.

On a similar note, its use in tourism has grown popular, since "boutique hotels" are small but exclusive accommodations. You see? It only takes a French word to make it luxurious!

Image: Austin Tate

You probably use this one more than you think. Why, you may ask? Because it’s not the same to say something is small as to say something is "petite."

Used in all kinds of contexts, like a dainty piece of jewelry, a tiny home, or even someone who is of a smaller height, it sprinkles the object with elegance.

Fun fact: In French, "petite" is the feminine form, while "petit" is masculine. Either way, it’s proof that good things often come in small (and chic) packages.

Image: Joshua Rodriguez

Hiring an au pair isn’t just about childcare; it’s about cultural exchange, and it’s quite a common practice in our country.

This French term means "on equal terms," highlighting the idea that au pairs become part of the family while they’re learning the language and helping out at the house.

It originated in Europe, but the tradition has spread worldwide. If you’ve ever met an au pair, you know they’re like a babysitter, language tutor, and cultural ambassador all rolled into one. Très international!

Image: Laura Gariglio

Chauffeur is a word that screams luxury, doesn’t it? Well, it’s more luxurious than saying "taxi driver." This French term originally meant "stoker," referring to the person who kept early steam-powered cars running.

Nowadays, it’s all about a nice ride and comfort, and even if it is more commonly used to talk about a private chauffeur, it can also describe public transport drivers. So, we can say we all have one, right?

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Whether you’re stuck on a crossword puzzle or facing a tricky decision, you might need an impasse. That is, take a break, breathe in, and face the fact that there’s no clear solution at that point.

This word is French for "dead end," which feels fitting when you’re going in circles, right? Thankfully, most impasses are temporary; give it time, and you’ll find a way forward. And hey, using a fancy word to describe your predicament might just make it feel a little less frustrating.

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Prêt-à-porter is fashion talk for clothes you can buy off the rack. Literally meaning "ready to wear," it’s the opposite of haute couture (also French), where outfits are custom-made.

This term gained popularity in the mid-20th century as fashion houses began offering stylish yet accessible options for the masses.

All the clothes we buy today are prêt-à-porter; who needs a tailor when the French have already thought of everything?

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If you’ve ever been to a hotel, you’ve met a concierge. Need dinner reservations, theater tickets, or directions to the best local café? They’ve got you covered.

The word itself comes from Old French, meaning "keeper of keys," which makes sense given their knack for unlocking great experiences. Don’t forget to tip them, and your stay will go smoothly!

Image: Nathanaël Desmeules

Ever get into a playful debate and have to admit your opponent made a zinger of a point? That’s when you drop a well-timed "touché."

Borrowed from fencing, where it means "touched," this French term signals that someone has landed a verbal hit. Kind of like saying "Mic-drop," you know? When you say it, you’re allowed to feel a little smug afterward; it’s all part of the fun.

Image: Nick Fewings

In French, chapeau means "hat," but it’s also a way of saying "well done" or "kudos." And if you’re wondering what these two concepts have to do with each other, think of the tip-of-the-cap gesture we do when we want to acknowledge someone’s effort or brilliance.

Like many other expressions, using the foreign version gives it an extra something, especially if it is a compliment! Plus, it’s fun to say. Try it out, and you’ll feel like you’re straight out of a Parisian café.

Awkward words ahead

Did you fartlek today? 12 words that sound funny but are serious

We all know it: some words just sound ridiculous, but they mean business. If you have ever come across a term like "gobbledygook" or "kerfuffle" and wondered if someone made it up, you're not alone. Let us take a look at 12 of these magnificent words that seem unreal, but are not.

It does remind us of a dirty word, but it’s not. A firkin is, in fact, an ancient English word that refers to a small tub or a vessel of sorts.

Traditionally, it held ale or butter, sized at about a quarter of a barrel, making it handy for transport. Breweries still sometimes use firkins today for cask-conditioned beers, keeping the word alive in pub culture.

Many terms that today sound funny or even rude are, in fact, outdated words and idioms that fell out of use. Godwottery is one of these, and it can be used to describe overly decorated or elaborate speeches.

The word comes from the name of English poet George Gascoigne’s fictional gardener, "Godwot," linked to the overly ornate style of gardening. By extension, it entered English in the 19th century to label pretentious language.

What sounds like a teenager's expression of approval is, in fact, an 18th-century word for cash. It often appeared in casual speech and newspapers to mean ready funds.

Though it has fallen out of everyday use, it still pops up in literature or nostalgic writing to add a colorful touch to talk about money.

Fartlek may sound like a joke, but it’s a serious workout technique. It comes from Swedish and means "speed play."

This type of endurance training involves alternating between jogging and sprinting. Despite the silly name, it’s used by athletes to improve speed and stamina.

Popple means choppy or rough seas, and, in an onomatopoeic sense, it sounds just like what it describes.

Its origin lies in Middle English, linked to the verb popelen, meaning to bubble or boil. And, though it is less common in modern English, it does survive in regional usage and poetry, evoking the lively surface of wind-stirred water.

Impignorate is a fancy old word that means to pawn or mortgage an item. It’s rarely used today, but it once described the act of offering something valuable as a loan guarantee.

The term comes from the Latin impignorare, formed from in- plus pignus, meaning pledge. First recorded in the 16th century, it was used in legal and financial contexts.

Any word that starts with "butt" is prone to appear on this list. In this case, a buttress is a support structure that helps keep walls or buildings stable.

You’ll often spot them on Gothic-style churches, castles, and cathedrals, adding both strength and style.

While it sounds like a tricky tongue twister, and it definitely could be one, "biblioklept" is in fact the word for someone who steals books.

The word comes from the Greek roots biblio- meaning "book" and kleptes meaning "thief." It appeared in English in the 19th century, reflecting a period when Greek and Latin roots were often combined to coin precise or scholarly terms.

If the term spleenwort sounds more like a medical problem than a plant to you, you are not alone. Does it refer to something or someone worthy of spleen?

In fact, the word spleenwort is the name of a small evergreen fern found in rocky areas and forests.

Never heard of penuche? If you’re not a baker, that’s pretty normal. A penuche is a type of fudge made with brown sugar, buttercream, and usually some nuts.

It’s a traditional sweet found in New England and parts of the American South, where it remains a nostalgic treat. It sounds more sophisticated than it is!

Again, it’s not an old-fashioned insult. Slumgullion is a strange-sounding word for a simple, cheap meat stew. It’s one of those food terms that doesn’t exactly make your mouth water, despite its hearty roots.

It was common among miners, loggers, and working folks who needed filling meals with whatever was on hand. It might not look or sound great, but it definitely gets the job done!

A shalloon might sound like the word saloon, pronounced by someone with a speech impediment. But it’s not. Shalloon is a lightweight, twilled wool fabric once used in clothing and linings. Unless you're into textiles or fashion history, you’ve probably never needed the word.

The word comes from Châlons-sur-Marne in France, where the fabric was originally produced. The English form "shalloon" emerged in the 1600s, reflecting the common practice of naming textiles after their place of origin.