500 Foreign Words and Phrases You Should Know to Sound Smart (9 page)

By favor; that is, from kindness or generosity rather than because of compulsion.

Because he has said that billionaires should pay more taxes, many people have urged Warren Buffet to make an EX GRATIA payment to the U.S. Treasury
.

ex libris
(Latin) (eks LEE-briss) (adv.)

From the library. This is a common phrase found on book plates (well, it would be a common phrase if anyone used book plates anymore) and is followed by the owner’s name.

EX LIBRIS Peter Archer (not to be removed by anyone else)
.

Ex nihilo nihil fit
(Latin) (eks NIL-oh NE-hil FIT) (phrase)

Nothing comes from nothing. This is a very ancient argument used by Greek philosophers (particularly Aristotle) to justify the idea of a First Cause. The world, they argued, must have existed in some form from eternity, since to say otherwise was to believe that matter could be created from nothing. The idea was expressed in this form by Empedocles (490
B.C.
–430
B.C.
)

ex officio
(Latin) (eks oh-FIK-ee-oh) (adv.)

Literally “from office.” More generally, this refers to someone who holds one position by virtue of holding another.

The president of the United States is EX OFFICIO the commander in chief of American armed forces
.

ex parte
(Latin) (eks PAHR-tay) (adv.)

From one person or party. A legal decision occasionally doesn’t require that both parties to the dispute be present; such a decision is referred to as “ex parte.”

Since my spouse disappeared, taking all of our money with him, the judge rendered an EX PARTE decision granting me a divorce
.

ex post facto
(Latin) (eks post FAK-toh) (phrase)

Literally, “from after the fact.” Retrospectively. A law or a decision that is implemented “ex post facto” is one that affects issues or circumstances that existed prior to the law or decision’s enactment.

The decision by some states EX POST FACTO to rewrite their death penalty laws has meant that many prisoners have been removed from death row
.

“Never knew before what eternity was made for. It is to give some of us a chance to learn German.”

—Mark Twain

F

façade
(French) (fah-SAHD) (noun)

Literally, “face.” One exterior side of a building, usually intended to be seen by the largest number of people and thus more elaborately decorated than the other sides. From this, the word has come to imply an insincere appearance.

Although Robert is a highly unpleasant person, in order to keep his job he has to preserve a FAÇADE of civility
.

facsimile
(Latin) (FAK-si-mi-LEE) (noun)

Made alike. Thus, the modern usage of the word, reproduction. Ideally, a facsimile should be as accurate a copy of the original as possible, including any flaws and imperfections that might occur.

In my living room, you’ll find a FACSIMILE of Da Vinci’s
St. Anne with Virgin and Child,
which proves I’m very sophisticated, since a less knowledgeable person would have had a copy of the Mona Lisa
.

facta non verba
(Latin) (FAK-tah non WERB-ah) (phrase)

Deeds, not words. Colloquially, don’t say it, do it.

I’m sick and tired of everyone chattering on about the weather. FACTA NON VERBA! It’s time we did something about it!

fait accompli
(French) (FEHT a-kohm-PLEE) (noun)

An accomplished deed. Usually refers to something that has been done before anyone is fully aware of it or, possibly, has approved of it.

I’m afraid the secret documents have already been published on Wikileaks, so it’s a bit of a FAIT ACCOMPLI
.

faute de mieux
(French) (FOHT de MYUH) (phrase)

For want of anything better. For lack of a superior plan.

I realize that going to see the latest Sandra Bullock movie may not be to everyone’s taste, but FAUTE DE MIEUX, I think we’re stuck with it
.

faux pas
(French) (foh PAH) (noun)

Error; mistake. Usually one that is tasteless and embarrassing by its obviousness.

Wearing shorts and a tee shirt to my grandfather’s funeral was a serious FAUX PAS, according to my grandmother
.

Feinschmecker
(German) (FINE-shmek-er) (noun)

Gourmet. One who appreciates food.

As one who dines only in four-star restaurants, I have a well-earned reputation as a FEINSCHMECKER to rival that of Anthony Bourdain
.

femme fatale
(French) (FEM fah-TAHL) (noun)

Literally, “deadly woman.” A dangerous or treacherous woman who is also beautiful and seductive. In fact, she uses her charms to ensnare the unwary.

In my dreams, I’m often entangled with a FEMME FATALE like Mata Hari or Barbara Stanwyck. Or sometimes Jessica Rabbit
.

Nota Bene

Among the earliest filmic examples of a femme fatale was Theda Bara (1885–1955). She originated the term “vamp” and was the object of men’s desires everywhere. Her name was an anagram for “Arab Death,” and she was notorious for wearing (for the period) revealing costumes and slithering across the screen to seduce foolish men. Sadly, few of her films have been preserved, although today’s “sex symbols” like Paris Hilton could learn a lot from her.

festina lente
(Latin) (FESS-tee-nah LEN-tay) (phrase)

Make haste slowly. More broadly, if you rush a job, it will take you longer, whereas if you take the time to get it right, it will be done sooner. In other words, Haste makes waste.

Just remember when you’re cleaning my Porsche, FESTINA LENTE. Take your time. This car should be treated with proper reverence
.

Festschrift
(German) (FEST-shrift) (noun)

A collection of academic essays in honor of a professor. The collection, which is normally themed around the professor’s area of specialization, is often assembled late in the scholar’s career when she or he is on the verge of retiring. Thus it is more or less academia’s equivalent of the traditional gold watch.

Hogwarts faculty is proud to present this FESTSCHRIFT to Professor McGonagall, essays dealing with the problems of transfiguration
.

Fiat justitia ruat caelum
(Latin) (FEE-aht joo-STEE-see-ah ROO-at KI-lum) (phrase)

Let justice be done, though the heavens fall. The origins of the phrase are uncertain; it is associated, perhaps wrongly, with Lucius Calpurnius Piso (d. 43
B.C.
). It is generally taken to mean that justice should be carried out and let the chips fall where they may.

fiat lux
(Latin) (FEE-aht LUX) (phrase)

Let there be light. The Latin translation of a phrase occurring in Genesis: And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. The phrase is the motto of a number of institutions, including such diverse organizations as the University of Akron, Queen’s College in Barbados, and St. Andrew’s School in Bloemfontein, South Africa.

fides quaerens intellectum
(Latin) (FEE-dayz KWI-rens in-tell-EK-toom) (phrase)

Faith seeking understanding. A phrase associated with St. Anselm (1033–1109), a leading theologian of the early Middle Ages. There has been much argument among scholars about what exactly Anselm was getting at, but the general consensus these days seems to be that Anselm believed that one’s love of God (faith) should drive one toward a deeper knowledge of God (understanding).

film noir
(French) (film NWAHR) (noun)

A kind of filmmaking popularized in the 1930s and 1940s in Europe and America. A film noir is generally a mystery or thriller, often one in which the theme of moral ambiguity plays a central role. Thus the detective is often as unscrupulous as the villains. Women are often beautiful and treacherous (see
femme fatale
).

Nota Bene

Among the most important examples of film noir are
The Maltese Falcon
(1941) directed by John Huston;
The Postman Always Rings Twice
(1946) directed by Tay Garnett; and more recently,
Chinatown
(1974) directed by Roman Polanski.

fin de siècle
(French) FAN de see-EK-le) (phrase)

End of the century. It’s most often used to refer to the period of 1895–1910, a period when European culture, in particular, underwent a substantial transformation with the onset of modernism. At the same time, it suggests that at the end of the nineteenth century, the energy and innovation of the Victorian era was played out. Thus, the term can also refer to a kind of cultural degeneration.

The Post impressionists are so FIN DE SIÈCLE; one can see them shrugging off the restraining conventions of their age and anticipating the twentieth century’s preoccupation with pure Art
.

flagrante delicto
(Latin) (flah-GRAHN-tay day-LIK-to) (phrase)

Literally, “blazing offense.” More generally, caught red-handed or in the middle of actually doing something illegal. It’s often applied to someone caught in the middle of the sex act.

After the wedding, I surprised one of the bridesmaids with the best man in FLAGRANTE DELICTO behind the altar
.

flâneur
(French) (fla-NOOR) (noun)

From the French for “stroller” or “lounger,” it refers to a person of leisure who strolls about the city, usually well dressed and well spoken. This definition is largely the work of the poet Charles Baudelaire (1821–1867). It has also come to have the meaning of one who “strolls” intellectually as well as physically.

In my exploration of the writings of nineteenth-century poets, I have become something of a FLÂNEUR, strolling through the avenues of their minds and souls
.

folie à deux
(French) (FOH-lee ah DUH) (phrase)

In a clinical sense, a madness or delusional belief shared by two people. In a somewhat nicer context, it can be used to suggest two people sharing a common intense interest in something.

Let us, my love, share a FOLIE À DEUX and wander the streets in the rain until our clothes are soaked through and we can return and sit in a warm bath, sipping champagne
.

fons et origo
(Latin) (FONZ et OR-ee-go) (phrase)

Literally, “the font and origin.” The originating point of something.

He regards himself as the FONS ET ORIGO of all information about Shakespeare, even though he’s never actually seen any of the plays performed
.

force majeure
(French) (FORSS mah-ZHOOR) (noun)

Superior force, referring to something that is an unavoidable accident. In legal contracts, especially those having to do with insurance, it refers to an occurrence that couldn’t have been anticipated by the signers of the contract.

For the purposes of this contract, an alien invasion shall be regarded as a FORCE MAJEURE and in no way affect the rest of the terms of the agreement
.

Fortes fortuna adiuvat
(Latin) (FOR-tayz for-TOO-nah add-you-WHAT) (phrase)

Fortune favors the bold. Originally used by the playwright Terence (c. 190
B.C.
–159
B.C.
); it also occurs at the end of Virgil’s poem
The Aeneid
.

To your complaint that we’re taking too great a risk with this merger, I can only reply FORTES FORTUNA ADIUVAT. If we’re willing to be bold, we’ll reap great rewards
.

“It’s important to me to work in my own language now and then. I love English, but you can never learn to master a foreign language if you’re not brought up with it.”

—Max von Sydow

G

Gaudeamus igitur
(Latin) (gow-day-AH-mus IG-i-tur) (phrase)

Let us, therefore, rejoice. This is the title of a popular university song in many European countries, telling students to remember that life is short and they should enjoy it. One verse (to give you an idea of the tone of the song) runs:

Long live all girls
,

Easy and beautiful

Long live older ones too

Tender, lovable
,

Good and hardworking
.

Gemeinschaft
(German) (ge-MINE-shaft) (noun)

Community. A concept developed by German sociologists in the late nineteenth century to contrast various types of associations. See
Gesellschaft
.

In a GEMEINSCHAFT, individuals pay attention to the interests of the community as well as to their own; for instance, this is the way a family works
.

Gemütlichkeit
(German) (ge-MUT-lik-kite) (noun)

Somewhere that is cozy and comfortable; a sense of belonging.

In our little group of friends, I find GEMÜTLICHKEIT cemented by our common experiences and plenty of drinking
.

genius loci
(Latin) (JEE-nee-us LO-kee) (noun)

Originally this referred to a god or gods who protected a place. However, in more recent usage it has come to mean the spirit or atmosphere of a place.