like 'Fiancée', 'Rendez-vous', 'Déjà-vu'...
Vive la France!!!
2006-12-26 23:59:14 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
why do the French use English words, like "weekend" and "computer"? Merde!
2006-12-27 07:19:14 · answer #1 · answered by Rebecca A 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In some cases, they are also English words (check out fiance, redezvous, and deja-vu in good old fashioned English dictionaries). That's because for about 300 years, between the Norman Conquest and the Hundred Years War, all the nobility in England spoke French (because Normandy, where the Normans came from in order to conquer, is in France). Because of that, a lot of French words have become English words.
But also, there are some French words that just are more to the point--I mean, would you rather say "Deja vu," or "That experience where something happens and you feel like it's already happened before?"
Okay. So I *also* like to feel smart. It's a failing of mine. But the two may not be related, really!
2006-12-27 00:24:36 · answer #2 · answered by Vaughn 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The English language grew from three languages, only one of which is Anglo-Saxon. The other two are French and Latin. Although many words came to the English language from the French language later, many basic words date back to the time of the occupation of England by French-speaking people. That is why a mountain (from Fr. montagne) is bigger than an Anglo-Saxon hill and a chateau is more luxurious than a hut. And English people raised animals (cow), while French people ate the meat (beef from boeuf). So today´s speakers of English can hardly avoid using French phrases, they need no special reason or motivation!
2006-12-27 00:21:35 · answer #3 · answered by Happy Feet 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
"Betrothed" feels smarter than "fiancee".
"Rendez-vous" is always naughtier than "date" much less "appointment" or "meeting".
"Déjà-vu" I guess we could come up with something for.
I presume you mean "why do you use" and not "why are you using", unless you're refering to a particluar Answerer's post?
2006-12-27 01:00:41 · answer #4 · answered by Goddess of Grammar 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The French use them all the time.
2006-12-27 00:01:17 · answer #5 · answered by philip_jones2003 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Je ne sais quois. C'est manifique!
2006-12-27 00:01:45 · answer #6 · answered by -- 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
if you can think of another word for Fiancée I'd love to hear it!
2006-12-27 02:18:47 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I am in a haste I use to commit such errors. But it is not a habbit.
2006-12-27 00:03:06 · answer #8 · answered by patrick w 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mays wee.
2006-12-27 00:02:04 · answer #9 · answered by the7thseal 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Cos im cooler like that.
2006-12-27 00:27:06 · answer #10 · answered by Wide Ruled Paper 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋