Frenchish expressions in English
English is full of French words and expressions, but pronunciation and even meaning can get distorted along the way – so much so that their provenance may not be recognizable.
Bookoo bucks |
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"Bookoo" is an anglicized spelling and pronunciation of the French adverb of quantity beaucoup (a lot). |
Ooh la la |
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In English, "ooh la la" has a sexy connotation that the original French oh là là (oh dear) doesn’t. |
San fairy ann |
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This odd-looking expression dates back to World War I and comes from the French ça ne fait rien (it doesn’t matter). |
Say la vee |
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How non-French speakers often spell c’est la vie (that’s life). |
Toodle loo |
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The anglicized spelling and pronunciation of tout à l’heure (see you soon). |
Toot sweet |
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It is pronounced much like this in French, but the correct spelling is tout de suite (right away). |
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