FOREIGN EXPRESSIONS I

The Word's The Thing

Dr. Louis D. Appel

 

The expressions below, borrowed from other languages, have been incorporated into everyday English vocabulary. What do they mean?

1. Ad hoc

2. A la carte

3. A priori

4. Au courant

5. Au revoir / Adieu

6. Avant garde

7. Beau geste

8. Bete noire

9. Bon vivant

10. Bon voyage

11. Carpe diem

12. Carte blanche

13. Caveat emptor

14. C'est la vie

15. Cherchez la femme 

Answers:

 

1. For a specific purpose, as a committee

2. Cost per item, as on a menu

3. Deductive reasoning - from general to specific

4. Up to date

5. Goodbye

6. On the cutting edge

7. Grand, generous gesture

8. Beast - object of hate or dread

9. One who enjoys luxurious living

10. Farewell - Have a good trip

11. Seize the day 

12. Unrestricted authority

13. Let the buyer beware

14. That's life

15. Look for the woman