This is a list of French words, terms and phrases of

English language English is a West Germanic language of the Indo-European language family, with its earliest forms spoken by the inhabitants of early medieval England. It is named after the Angles, one of the ancient Germanic peoples that migrated to the is ...

origin, some of a specialist nature, in common usage in the French language or at least within their specialist area. Modern English is rarely considered a source language as it is itself a mixture of other languages. Culturally, the creation of new words is widely accepted and there is no official body that is treated as the guardian of the language. Each dictionary producer makes their own editorial decisions and there is a slight impetus towards adding new words as this often results in media coverage and public discussion. Conversely, the

Académie française An academy (Attic Greek: Ἀκαδήμεια; Koine Greek Ἀκαδημία) is an institution of secondary education, secondary or tertiary education, tertiary higher education, higher learning (and generally also research or honorary membershi ...

as an institution absolutely guards the French language. This hurdle in the creation of new words allows time and space for English

neologism A neologism Greek νέο- ''néo''(="new") and λόγος /''lógos'' meaning "speech, utterance"] is a relatively recent or isolated term, word, or phrase that may be in the process of entering common use, but that has not been fully accepted int ...

s to enter common usage in the French language. In many cases, l'Académie publishes French alternatives or creates French neologisms, however these words often fail to achieve the public traction which, by definition has to have been achieved by the English word for it to be noticed by l'Académie in the first place. In nearly all cases the words in this list are not sanctioned by the Académie française.

Words in accepted use

The following words are commonly used and included in French dictionaries. * le pull: E. pullover, sweater, jersey. * le shampooing, the shampoo * le scoop, in the context of a news story or as a simile based on that context. While the word is in common use, the Académie française recommends a French synonym, "''exclusivité''". * le selfie. The word was included in French dictionary "Le Petit Robert" in 2015, along with "hashtag". * le sandwich * le bulldozer * l'email / le mail * cool: great, cool, xpression of approval * le dressing. A dressing room or

walk-in closet A walk-in closet (North American) or walk-in wardrobe ( UK) or dressing room is typically a large closet, wardrobe or room that is primarily intended for storing clothes, footwear etc., and being used as a changing room. As the name suggests, walk- ...

. * fun: amusing, entertaining, bonvivant. * le hashtag * l'after-shave * le blog * le chewing-gum: chewing gum; American. * le lifting: facelift, plastic surgery. * le parking. A car park * le weekend: weekend * people: c'est très people... ("it's very popular/about personalities"). * versatile. A word with slightly different meaning in French and English. The English usage, meaning 'with a variety of uses' has crept into common French usage.

Pseudo-anglicisms

Source: * le zapping. Channel surfing on a television * le rugbyman, le tennisman. Rugby and tennis player * les baskets. Sports shoes * babyfoot. Table football * le flipper. A pinball machine * le smoking. A dinner suit / tuxedo * le footing. Running or jogging

Gallicized English words

* la

redingote A frock coat is a formal men's coat characterised by a knee-length skirt cut all around the base just above the knee, popular during the Victorian and Edwardian periods (1830s–1910s). It is a fitted, long-sleeved coat with a centre vent at th ...

. A type of coat. From the English, "Riding Coat". Amusingly, this French version crossed back into English in the 18th century, though it is not in common usage today.

Colloquialisms and neologisms

Technology

* Tweeter. To tweet. * Forwarder. To forward an email * Liker. To like an update or posting, typically on Facebook * Skyper * Le buzz * La box. Modem provided by most Internet Providers. * Le hot spot. In terms of

Wi-Fi Wi-Fi () is a family of wireless network protocols, based on the IEEE 802.11 family of standards, which are commonly used for local area networking of devices and Internet access, allowing nearby digital devices to exchange data by radio wave ...

availability.

Business

* Au black. In reference to the black market or black economy * L’open space * Booster. To boost, as in ''"booster ma carriere"'' * Voyager low-cost. Low-cost travel * Le drive. In reference to drive-through food takeaway services * High tech * Le challenge. An example of an English word of French origin being backported into French, with the English spelling and pronunciation

Sports

* Le corner - a corner kick. * Le coach. In a sporting context * Le penalty - a penalty kick * Le goal - a goal keeper

Arts and entertainment

* La punch line * Le biopic * Infotainment * Le come back. In the sense of a celebrity, sportsperson or entertainer making a comeback.

Others

* Un Black. A way to designate a black person. * Le box. Typically a room sized storage unit * Le relooking. In reference to a makeover * Bruncher. To brunch * Le lifting. In reference to plastic surgery * La success story. An example of an English phrase made up of words of French origin being reinfused into the French language in the English context. * Le dealer. Specifically of illegal drugs. * Le cheese. In the context of "Le Royale Cheese" in McDonald's. If one orders "un cheese" one receives a cheeseburger. * Le Brexit * No stress * Switcher. To change or swap.

References

{{Reflist

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

French