A French Connection Trivia Quiz

Answer: aperitif

Apéritif essentially translates as 'opening the appetite'. An apéritif is not intended for consumption during a meal, but is meant to be had during the pre-dinner socializing.

Answer: carte blanche

Carte blanche literally translates as 'white card', although it is closer in meaning to the English phrase, 'blank cheque'. It means that you can do whatever you want, without repercussions.

Answer: cordon bleu

Cordon bleu translates as 'blue ribbon', and often refers to a person who excels at cooking, or to the award given to such a person. This is a direct reference to the wide blue ribbon worn by members of the highest order of the knighthood.

The term has also come to be associated with a specific kind of meal - breaded veal, chicken or pork stuffed with ham and cheese, then fried.

Answer: cul-de-sac

The literal translation of cul-de-sac is 'bottom of the sack', which lends a strong visual reference to a dead-end street. The term has been used in English since the 1800s. Interestingly enough, the most common terms used by Francophones for a dead-end street are 'impasse' and 'voie sans issue' (way without exit).

Answer: esprit de corps

Esprit de corps translates as 'spirit of the body (or group)', and speaks to the idea of working together or acting in one mind. Esprit de corps is often used in military circles, and the term 'corps' by itself also refers to a type of military formation.

Answer: faux pas

Literally meaning 'false step', a faux pas is something you always want to avoid when in social situations. The English equivalent would be 'putting your foot in your mouth', although faux pas implies more than just verbal indiscretions.

Answer: laissez-faire

The term laissez-faire (literally translating as 'let do') is actually a shortcut of the phrase "Laissez faire, laissez passer" (let do, let go). It refers to the political doctrine that an economic system functions best without governmental interference, although it has extended its meaning to all levels of leadership.

Answer: papier-mache

Papier-mâché means 'mashed paper' when translated. It is an apt description of the end result of papier-mâché crafts, where strips or wads of paper (and sometimes other textiles) are dipped in a paste and formed into various shapes.

Answer: savoir-faire

Literally translating as 'know how to do', savoir-faire just sounds like a more elegant way of referring to the ability of that person that always knows how to deal with whatever comes at them.

Answer: touche

The term touché comes from the world of fencing, and means 'touched' or 'hit'. It provides an apt metaphor for when someone responds to your words with a witty answer - a literal verbal riposte.

The term does not have the same use in modern French outside of the fencing world, meaning 'emotionally touched'.