A Certain Je Ne Sais Quoi: Words We Pinched From Other Languages

A fascinating look at the meanings and origins of the many colourful foreign phrases we use every day. <p><b>A handy guide to the meanings and origins of the many foreign phrases we use every day.</b><br><br>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? <br><br>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? <br><br><i>A Certain Je Ne Sais Quoi </i>is an accessible and entertaining treasury of information that 'connoisseurs' (French) of the English language will love!</p>

• | Author: Chloe Rhodes
• | Publisher: Michael O'Mara Books Ltd
• | Publication Date: Jun 25, 2015
• | Number of Pages:
• | Language:
• | Binding: Paperback / softback
• | ISBN-13: 9781782434320
• | ISBN-10: 1782434321