French, Latin or even Russian words used in English Literature have often confused and troubled me, thus compelling me to research and find their meanings. For you convenience here is a list of ten most commonly used foreign words:
- au fait (French): having a good or detailed knowledge
- bona fide (Latin): genuine; real
- carte blanche (French): complete freedom to act as one wishes
- de facto (Latin): in fact, whether by right or not
- déjà vu (French): the sense of having experienced the present situation before
- prima facie (Latin): accepted as so until proved otherwise
- faux pas (French): an embarrassing blunder or indiscretion
- joie de vivre (French): exuberant enjoyment of life
- haute couture ((French): the designing and making of clothes by leading fashion houses
- grande dame (French): a woman who is influential within a particular sphere
