The Times Diary column is inviting new definitions of foreign phrases and there have been some great suggestions. Such as: coup de grâce = lawnmower; pas de deux = father of twins; hors de combat = belligerent prostitute and; plus ça change = good currency rate.
Or there is par excellence = good at golf; literati = Italian dustmen; espirit de corps = embalming fluid and; commis chef = the person who cooks Jeremy Corbyn’s falafel.
I’ve come up with a few of my own: brasserie = ladies underwear emporium; fin de siècle = finishing line in the Tour de France; dolce vita = sweet crispbread and; ménage à trois – a disappointing zoo. (I think I may have stolen that last one from I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue)
Any further contributions would be much appreciated!
Tvättbjörn – an irritating Swedish tennis player or a grinning male member of a successful Eurovision quartet.
Very good, although I haven’t come across Tvättbjörn used very often in everyday English!
No? That’s surprising. I slip it in to conversation all the time.
GREAT concept. Not my strength, at least not yet.
C’est la vie – what IS the 22nd letter?
ROG, ABCW