50 Foreign Terms That Arent Foreign

50 Foreign Terms That Arent Foreign 50 Foreign Terms That Aren’t Foreign 50 Foreign Terms That Aren’t Foreign By Mark Nichol English is a very welcoming language, adopting terms indiscriminately from other tongues. Many publishers observe a distinction between naturalized words and those still considered foreign, honoring the assimilation of the former by refraining from using any visual emphasis and italicizing those in the latter category. The careful writer will honor this distinction, but how is one to know to which class a particular word or phrase belongs? Adopted words will appear in the dictionary, while words or phrases that have not received a green card remain relegated to a print dictionary’s appendix, if any. Or, check out this virtual cheat sheet, which lists words and phrases (with brief definitions) that do not merit italicization. 1. la carte: priced separately 2. la mode: fashionable; topped with ice cream 3. a priori: presumptive, presupposed 4. ad hoc: formed for a special purpose 5. ad infinitum: without end or limit 6. ad nauseam: to an excessive or sickening degree 7. apropos: opportune or relevant 8. attachà ©: a diplomatic technical expert; a briefcase 9. avant-garde: innovative 10. belles lettres: artistic literature 11. bon voyage: have a good trip 12. bona fide: genuine, sincere 13. carte blanche: full permission 14. caveat emptor: let the buyer beware 15. chargà © d’affaires: a deputy ambassador or minister 16. coup d’à ©tat: a violent government overthrow 17. cul-de-sac: a dead end 18. de facto: in practice 19. doppelgnger: an alter ego, double, or ghost; someone with the same name as someone else 20. en masse: as a whole, in one body 21. en route: along or on the way 22. ex officio: because of or by virtue of an office 23. fait accompli: something already done and irreversible 24. faux pas: an error 25. fete: a celebration; celebrate 26. habeas corpus: an order to bring a jailed person before a judge to determine whether the person should be jailed; the right of a person against illegal imprisonment 27. hors d’oeuvre: appetizers 28. ipso facto: by the fact itself 29. machismo: an exaggerated masculinity or show of strength 30. maà ®tre d’: a headwaiter or steward 31. mà ©nage: a household; housekeeping 32. modus operandi: a way of doing things 33. nom de plume: a pen name 34. non sequitur: a statement that does not logically follow what was previously said 35. papier-mà ¢chà ©: paper mixed with glue and water to harden for molding for artistic projects 36. per capita: per person 37. per diem: per day, paid by the day; a daily allowance or fee 38. per se: by itself 39. persona non grata: an unacceptable person 40. prà ©cis: a concise summary 41. prima donna: a conceited person 42. prima facie: apparent, self-evident, or at first view 43. pro bono: donated 44. realpolitik: practical rather than theoretical politics 45. soiree: an evening party or reception 46. status quo: the current state 47. tà ªtetà ªte: a private conversation; a piece of furniture designed to facilitate one 48. tour de force: an impressive display or feat 49. vice versa: with the order changed 50. visvis: in relation to Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Arrive To vs. Arrive AtProbable vs. PossibleConversational Email