English II, III, and IV

Origin: 1895–1900; French: répondez s’il vous plaît (please reply)

Verb (used without object) to reply to an invitation Don't forget to RSVP before Thursday.

Noun a reply to an invitation He sent a lovely bouquet of flowers with his

RSVP. (used on an invitation to indicate that

the favor of a reply is requested) ex: RSVP is requested by 12/9

Origin: 1900–05; French: already seen

Noun the illusion of having previously

experienced something actually being encountered for the first time.

disagreeable familiarity or sameness: The new television season had a sense of déjà vu about it—the same old plots and characters with new names.

Origin: 1670–80; French: false step Noun: a slip or blunder in etiquette,

manners, or conduct; an embarrassing social blunder or indiscretion Michelle Obama committed a faux pas

when she touched the Queen of England. Jessica Simpson’s most recent faux pas is

when she told reporters, “I’m not an Indian giver!” when they asked her about the new boat she purchased for Tony Romo, her ex.

Origin: French- of the dayNoun

as prepared on the particular day; of the kind being served today▪ The soup du jour is chicken noodle.

fashionable; current▪ We discuss environmentalism and other

issues du jour.

Origin: 1490–1500; French: good journey

Interjection (Have a) pleasant trip

Origin: Latin: nourishing (i.e., dear) mother

Noun a school, college, or university at

which one has studied and, usually, from which one has graduated

the official anthem of a school, college, or university▪ Stratford is your alma mater.▪ Middle Tennessee State is my alma mater.

Origin: 1890–95, Americanism; Latin: with praise With honor. Used to express academic

distinction▪ Adverb- graduated cum laude▪ Adjective- 25 cum laude graduates▪ Three levels: ▪ Cum Laude▪ Magna Cum Laude▪ Summa Cum Laude

Origin: French: fatal womanNoun (plural = femmes fatales)

An irresistibly attractive woman, esp. one who leads men into difficult, dangerous, or disastrous situations

A woman of great seductive charm who leads men into compromising or dangerous situations▪ Ali Larter plays a femme fatale in Beyonce’s

new movie, Obsessed.

Latin, 1475–85adverb

in exactly the same words; word for word▪ to repeat something verbatim.

Adjective corresponding word for word to the

original source or text▪ a verbatim record of the proceedings.

skilled at recording or noting down speeches, proceedings, etc., with word-for-word accuracy▪ a verbatim stenographer.

Origin: 1770–80; FrenchNoun- a sense of unity and of

common interests and responsibilities, as developed among a group of persons closely associated in a task, cause, enterprise, etc. In Remember the Titans, the entire

football team went to summer camp to develop an esprit de corps.

Michael Jackson’s death brought upon an esprit de corps across the world.

Origin: LatinOut of many, one E pluribus unum was adopted as a

national motto in 1776 and is now found on the Great Seal of the United States and on United States currency

Origin: 1760–70; Italian: first ladyNoun

a first or principal female singer of an opera company

a temperamental, conceited person; a vain and overly sensitive person who is difficult to work with▪ When she doesn’t get her way, my sister

acts like a prima donna and pouts until she gets what she wants.

Origin: 1475–85; French: fore-guardNoun

the advance group in any field, esp. in the visual, literary, or musical arts, whose works are characterized chiefly by unorthodox and experimental methods.

Adjective of or pertaining to the experimental

treatment of artistic, musical, or literary material

belonging to the avant-garde: an avant-garde composer

unorthodox or daring; radical.

Origin: 1825–35; Latin: state in which

Noun the existing condition or state of affairs. the existing order of things; present

customs, practices, and power relations: ▪ People with money are often content with the

status quo.▪ We don't want to admit more singers to the

chorus; we like the status quo.

Origin: 1889; French: joy of living

Noun: a delight in being alive; carefree enjoyment of living. My joie de vivre is lying on the beach in

the Caribbean. Helping the elderly is a joie de vivre of

hers. Making beats is his joie de vivre.

Origin: 1645–55; French: blank document

Noun: unconditional authority; full discretionary power To be given “carte blanche” is to receive

the power and authority to do as one wishes By giving me her credit card, my mom gave

me carte blanche to buy whatever I wanted. The President of the United States often

gives members of his Cabinet carte blanche to make major political decisions.

Origin: 1515–25; Latin: let the buyer beware

Noun- let the buyer beware: the principle that the seller of a product cannot be held responsible for its quality unless it is guaranteed in a warranty. Caveat emptor is the first rule of buying a used car. When I tried to return my refurbished iPod to Best

Buy, the salesman said, “Caveat emptor!” and pointed to the “No refunds on refurbished items” sign.

Greek- In the Greek alphabet, alpha is the first letter and omega is the last.

Noun- the beginning and the end the basic or essential element or

elements: the alpha and omega of political reform.

The first and the last: "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord" (Revelation 1:8).

Origin: 1525–35; Latin: clean slateNoun:

a mind not yet affected by experiences, impressions, etc.

anything existing undisturbed in its original pure state

John Locke believed that a child’s mind was a tabula rasa.

Teachers should believe that each student is a tabula rasa and not have any preconceived notions of them.

Origin: 1815–25; Greek: the manyNoun- the common people; the masses;

ordinary persons (often preceded by the) The hoi polloi may think that the “Cash for

Clunkers” is a good deal, but they don’t realize that the auto dealers are marking up the cars more than the discount.

Universal healthcare is supported by the hoi polloi, but many do not understand that the quality of medical care might actually decrease.

Origin: Latin: to seasicknessAdverb- to a sickening or

disgusting degree; to the point of nausea The speaker told us the details of how he

overcame his childhood problems ad nauseam.

One of my friends whined about her problems ad nauseam.

Some teachers lecture ad nauseam.

Latin: seize the day Interjection

enjoy the present, as opposed to placing all hope in the future

take full advantage of present opportunities By living by the saying, Carpe diem, we

choose to make the most of every opportunity we have.

The Roman general yelled, “Carpe diem!” and rushed into the battlefield.

Origin: Latin: time fliesPart of Speech: phrase

Tempus fugit when you’re having fun!

Origin: French- that's life; such is life.Part of speech- phase

An expression used to play down some minor disappointment: “So we lost a softball game by twenty-two runs. What can you do; c'est la vie.”

After my dog ran away, my mom yelled at me, and I got an F on my math test, all I could say was, “C’est la vie.”

Origin: 1935–45; Latin: in good faithAdjective

made, done, presented, etc., in good faith; without deception or fraud: a bona fide statement of intent to sell

authentic; true: a bona fide sample of Lincoln's handwriting

Anyone who buys a purse at the flea market on Jefferson knows that it’s not a bono fide Coach or Gucci. Caveat emptor!

Origin: 1805–15; French: knowing how to do

Noun: knowledge of just what to do in any

situation to know how to act Obama uses his savoir faire to navigate

through difficult political meetings. Jay Z’s savoir faire has helped him create

a musical, clothing, and merchandising empire.

Origin: Latin- it does not followNoun

Logic- an inference or a conclusion that does not follow from the premises; a statement containing an illogical conclusion

A thought that does not logically follow what has just been said: “We had been discussing the genocide in Rwanda, so her remark about astrology was a real non sequitur.”

Origin: Latin- “that is”Adverb

Forms: id est, i.e. Meanings: that is, namely, that is to say, in

other words When my ACT results came back, I scored

highly in English ( i.e. grammar, synonyms, antonyms, sentence structure.)

I don’t like any forms of physical activity (i.e. running, climbing, aerobics, or anything that makes me sweat.)

Origin: French- terrible or frightful child Noun

an incorrigible child, as one whose behavior is embarrassing

an outrageously outspoken or bold person who says and does indiscreet or irresponsible things

a person whose work, thought, or lifestyle is so unconventional or avant-garde as to appear revolutionary or shocking

Every time I go out to eat, at least one enfant terrible ruins my casual dining experience.

Don Imus became a national enfant terrible when he called the Rutgers women’s basketball team “nappy-headed h—s.”

Origin: 1595–1605; Latin- solid earth Noun-

firm or solid earth; dry land (as opposed to water or air); solid ground

After our stormy voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, we were relieved to set foot on terra firma.

My friends decided to jump from an airplane, but I decided to stay on terra firma.

Origin: Latin- voice of the peopleNoun-

the voice of the people; popular opinion; public opinion

The vox populi demanded change in the White House, so Obama was elected President.

After he was arrested for aggravated robbery, the vox populi turned against O.J. Simpson.

If we truly want social change, the vox populi must be unified.

Latin, 1550-1560Adverb- for the special purpose or

end presently under consideration: a committee formed ad hoc to deal with the issue.

Adjective- concerned or dealing with a specific subject, purpose, or end: The ad hoc committee disbanded after making its final report.

French, 1755-1765any controversy that attracts great

public attention, as a celebrated legal case or trial.

“The question of the draft was a cause célèbre in the 1960s.”

Latin, 1785-1795 –noun a great work, esp. the chief

work of a writer or artist: Proust's magnum opus is Remembrance of Things Past.

The most important work in a person's career, especially in literature, art, or scholarship: “ Moby Dick was Melville's magnum opus.”

Latin, “unacceptable person”A person who is not welcome: He has

become persona non grata in our club since his angry outburst.

An unacceptable or unwelcome person

Latin, “one thing in return for another”

Something that is given or taken in return for something else; substitute.

“I think it should be quid pro quo- you mow the lawn, and I’ll take you to the movies.”

“Quid pro quo- You give me your hat, and I won’t write you up.”

French, 1656 “an inexpressible something”

an indefinable, elusive quality, esp. a pleasing one: She has a certain je ne sais quoi that charms everybody.

That little something; a quality that eludes description: “The Mona Lisa's smile has a certain je ne sais quoi.”

Latin, 1645-1655Noun- procedure; method of

operating, a way of doing things “M.O.”The serial killer’s modus operandi

was discovered by the police, and he was arrested.

French, 1815-1825Pen nameMark Twain’s nom de plume was

Samuel Clemens.

FrenchNoun- high fashion; the most

fashionable and influential dressmaking and designing

Paris, London, and Milan are centers of haute couture.

Latin, noun Through my fault; my fault (used as

an acknowledgment of one's responsibility).

An acknowledgement of guilt“BP gave a public mea culpa after

videos of the disaster in the Gulf surfaced on television and the Internet.”