Description

Book Synopsis

A handy guide to the meanings and origins of the many foreign phrases we use every day.

English as we know it today is enriched with many borrowings and influences from other languages. Aficionado, chutzpah, pro bono, hoi polloi, ketchup, nous, zeitgeist – we use these foreign words every day without thinking of their origins, but what do they actually mean? And just how and why did we English speakers absorb such exotic imports?

Each phrase has a fascinating history; colonialism, foreign trade, invasion and immigration all have their role to play in the evolution of our language. Did you know, for example, that 'lingua franca' is Italian for 'Frankish language' – a name given to a mixed common language used by diplomats of different nationalities in medieval times? Or that the seemingly modern 'bandana' comes from the Sanskrit for the ancient Indian technique of tie-dying fabric?

A Certain Je Ne Sais Quoi is an accessible and entertaining treasury of information that 'connoisseurs' (French) of the English language will love!

A Certain Je Ne Sais Quoi: Words We Pinched From

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    A Paperback / softback by Chloe Rhodes

    £6.99

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    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Tue 25 Aug 2026.

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      Book details

      Publisher Michael O'Mara Books Ltd
      Published 25 June 2015
      ISBN-13 9781782434320
      978-1782434320
      ISBN-10 1782434321
      Also in:
      Hobbies, Games & Quizzes Trivia and quiz questions

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      A handy guide to the meanings and origins of the many foreign phrases we use every day.

      English as we know it today is enriched with many borrowings and influences from other languages. Aficionado, chutzpah, pro bono, hoi polloi, ketchup, nous, zeitgeist – we use these foreign words every day without thinking of their origins, but what do they actually mean? And just how and why did we English speakers absorb such exotic imports?

      Each phrase has a fascinating history; colonialism, foreign trade, invasion and immigration all have their role to play in the evolution of our language. Did you know, for example, that 'lingua franca' is Italian for 'Frankish language' – a name given to a mixed common language used by diplomats of different nationalities in medieval times? Or that the seemingly modern 'bandana' comes from the Sanskrit for the ancient Indian technique of tie-dying fabric?

      A Certain Je Ne Sais Quoi is an accessible and entertaining treasury of information that 'connoisseurs' (French) of the English language will love!

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